"We would go to the office after school most days and were engaged as slave labour every school holidays," youngest daughter Paula told mourners at her father's funeral at St Brigid's Catholic Church.

The Nolan girls would "work on reception, do the mail, get the DX, courier documents between law firms and the courthouse, and worst of all complete all that darn filing for those stupid law books".

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But Mr Nolan and his wife Maureen's decision to launch and run R J Nolan and Co together showed their children how to work hard and respect others.

"..Mum managed all the administration of the business and was the jack of all trades," Paula said.

Her father's "calm voice, reasoning and very clear instruction" helped paying and non-paying clients move forward in their lives.

Raymond Joseph Nolan, a "city lad turned country gentleman", died unexpectedly at his Dubbo home on October 10, aged 84 years.

His passing saddened Dubbo where he lived and worked as a solicitor for 50 years and served the community through multiple and varied organisations.

They included Rotary which named Mr Nolan a Paul Harris Fellow, and the Orana Law Society and Dubbo Turf Club which bestowed life memberships on him.

In a touching and funny eulogy, Mr Nolan's family told how he grew up in Sydney and excelled as a student of Waverly College.

"Dad lays in rest for eternity in his Waverley Old Boys tie and cufflinks," Paula said.

A keen sportsman, particularly when it came to cricket, Mr Nolan's first job was in a high-end men's clothing store at Bondi Junction.

"This early training is clearly what led to Ray Nolan becoming the male fashion plate of Dubbo," Paula said.

A fashion sense proved an asset for the future racehorse owner who took his daughters to meetings "all over the countryside" and gave each of them 50 cents to "put a bet on".

The untimely death of his beloved wife prompted Mr Nolan to quit racing for a time.

"Dad said he owed almost everything to Mum and her amazing support for nearly 40 years," Paula said.

Ray and Maureen Nolan married in Sydney before moving to Dubbo in 1970, ostensibly for a year.

But they never looked back and across decades built a successful business, gave back to the community and nurtured a family which now includes four granddaughters.

"We know that Dad was very proud of each of us," Paula said.

"He encouraged us in our interests and delighted in our achievements and that of his granddaughters."

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