He was well loved and respected within the Wagga farming community as someone who was always happy to share his many decades of experience to anyone who came seeking his advice.

He was known as a battler and a relentlessly hard worker since childhood, having taken over the family farm at the tender age of 14 after his father died.

As the sole man of the house he worked tirelessly to run the farm and support his mother and four sisters, and they managed to make a living for themselves together.

It was a hard life that involved many rough nights sleeping under the stars, but it would cultivate in him an unbreakable work ethic that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

He kept himself busy late into his twilight years, and even nearing the age of 100 he could still be found tinkering away in his shed making windmills and weather vanes to give out to his friends and family.

Friends and family always came first for Mr Rockliff, and his son John Rockliff said he will be fondly remembered as a kind-hearted soul who dedicated himself to others.

"He was nature's gentlemen, very generous, very focused on his friends and family," John said.

"He also did a lot for farmers - a lot of farmers in the district knew him very well and he kept that attachment to the community well after he retired."

He remained astonishingly robust right up until the end, and he was still able to walk and live at home by himself until the age of 102.

He peacefully passed away on Sunday leaving a long legacy of five children, six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Many of them live out of town and won't be able to attend his funeral due to coronavirus travel restrictions, but they will be streaming the funeral online at the Alan Harris McDonald funeral home website on Friday.

His son John will be there, and on the day he'll be honouring the memory of his father and paying tribute to a life well lived.

"He's had a good life," John said.