Mayor Peta Pinson said Mr Uptin's farewell was a moving celebration of a great community man's life.

"I know that the deputy mayor attended Keith's funeral on Saturday, as did I, and it was a moving ceremony conducted by his son Michael," Cr Pinson said.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said Mr Uptin was enormously involved in his community.

"He always presented himself with great love and affection towards the community and the people he was engaged with," Cr Intemann said.

"I had the privilege of serving with him for over two years and continued a connection with him and his wife Shirley after that.

"We certainly remember him and his involvement with the community."

Mr Keith Uptin OAM, former managing director of the Port Macquarie News and former councillor and deputy mayor of the then Hastings Council, passed away at Wauchope Palliative Care on June 7.

Mr Uptin began working at the paper, purchased by his father in 1945, after he left high school in 1952.

Alongside with his brother Alan during the 1980s, the pair grew the paper's circulation and readership with great success, celebrating the publication's 100th anniversary in 1982.

When the newspaper was sold, Keith and Alan continued in the commercial industry with Uptin Print, which operated from a premises in Milton Circuit.

Read more: Keith Uptin - Vale to a newspaper man and community champion

Mr Uptin was elected to Hastings Council in 1991 and served until his resignation in 1997.

During his terms on council, Mr Uptin also held the role of deputy mayor.

"Mr Uptin was involved in many local clubs and organisations and in 2015 was awarded an OAM to recognise his community contributions," Cr Pinson said.

"The local community has lost a true gentleman, businessman and involved community member and council extends its sincere condolences to his wife Shirley, family and friends."

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