Francis Alberni died at the age of 91 after a battle with prostate cancer, and he will be fondly remembered as "Mr Fulham" after the iconic Fulham Gardens fruit and vegetable shops he established around town.

He was a mover and shaker in the business world, but Mr Alberni will be better remembered as a strong community man who always volunteered his time and effort to help people in need.

He was a stalwart member of the South Wagga Rotary Club for 50 years, and during that time he won the Paul Harris award for his various acts of selflessness.

His daughter Michelle Mastrosa still has vivid memories of her father rolling up his sleeves and wading through fierce floodwaters to help his fellow Rotarians sandbag the city.

"As a teenager I remember dad getting a call in the middle of the night, and off he went with the other Rotarians sandbagging so the water didn't flood into the main part of Wagga," Mrs Mastrosa said.

"He was a good man and a true gentleman."

His wife Diana Alberni said their marriage was a "match made in heaven", and she still remembers the first time they met as though it were yesterday.

A fishmonger introduced her to Mr Alberni when the two of them were young, and three weeks later the smitten Mr Alberni nervously asked her to come to the local country ball with him.

"It took three weeks for him to pick up enough courage to ask me to the bankers ball," Mrs Alberni said, chuckling.

"That's where we started. I was very blessed. He was just a beautiful man and he loved people."

He was deeply beloved by his family, who were there by his side when he passed away.

Mr Alberni touched the lives of many people, and the family are inviting them to attend his funeral at 10am on Monday at St Michael's Cathedral.

Instead of flowers, the family are encouraging attendees to donate to the Riverina Cancer Care Centre, which has a donation box at the cathedral.

After prayers the procession will head to the Wagga Lawn Cemetery, where Mr Alberni will be laid to rest.