Kennedy passed away on the weekend, aged 75, after a long illness.

A keen punter, Kennedy was involved in all three racing codes. He grew up with gallopers at Pakenham, then trained greyhounds for a stint before taking out his harness racing trainer’s licence in 1985.

From there he never looked back.

He enjoyed two group one wins as an owner or trainer courtesy of Rowan River and Deadsetlucky, while Goeslikell, Jack And Simon and Elledeekay were other top performers of his.

His first winner came at Coolamon with Brett’s Day in 1985, while Jack’s Lane was a favourite horse of his after landing a sizeable plunge at Albury.

He also proved a great teacher with his son David Kennedy and grandson Jackson Painting going on to enjoy great success in the sport.

David said Lawrie loved the social side of harness racing as much as any other.

“He loved the trots and he loved the social side,” David said.

“He made plenty of mates in the game. He hadn’t been to the trots very often in the last couple of years but he loved all of his mates and he loved going to Bathurst every year.

“He never missed going to Bathurst and he would camp there for the two weeks.”

Lawrie moved to Queensland with his family for seven years, but otherwise made Coleambally his home.

“He had a real love of horses all along,” David said,

“All my interest in harness racing came through Dad. Jack and him were pretty tight as well.”

Lawrie is survived by wife Maureen, his children David, Janet and Gill and their families, which include eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A private cremation will take place on Thursday, with a memorial service to be held later at the Coleambally Club at 3.30pm.