His family released a brief statement shortly after 11am, on Friday, July 24, reporting the long-term councillor had died at his Belowra home after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.

"He was with his family and had been supported by the Community Palliative Care team and Queen Street (Moruya) practice doctors," Cr Thomson's wife, Yvonne, and the couple's sons, James and Brendan, said.

"We thank our friends, family, colleagues and community members for their wonderful support."

Clr Thomson had battled a brain tumour for more than a year, but continued to serve on the council until he could no longer do so.

Sitting mayor Lindsay Brown said Cr Thomson would be missed and described him as "a passionate believer in his community".

"He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the residents of the Eurobodalla shire," Clr Brown said.

An emotional Clr Brown said Cr Thomson, even while battling a brain tumour, showed concern for others, including when Cr Brown was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

"It is extremely difficult for me, because Ferg was an inspiration for me in my battle and his strength and interest in others, at such a difficult time for himself, I will always hold in fond memory," Cr Brown said.

Councillor Thomson was first elected in 2004 and was mayor for 18 months. In 2008, he became the first popularly elected mayor in the Eurobodalla, serving until 2012.

Mr Thomson grew up on, and lived at the family's Belowra farm.

He was nudged into community involvement by his father, former Eurobodalla Shire president Douglas Thomson.

“My father was probably the greatest influence on my life and through all of the things that he did,” Mr Thomson said.

Mr Thomson joined Moruya Surf Life Saving Club in 1962 and spent every weekend during summer at the beach, either volunteering or competing.

Among his many achievements in the organisation was serving as the Far South Coast branch state delegate, chairman, president and deputy superintendent. He was former chairman of Country Branches and was manager of the touring competition team to New Zealand.

He became involved in several local environmental pursuits, including founding the Belowra Landcare group. He later played key roles in water catchment management committees and the Rural Lands Protection Board and was even an advisor to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

It was not until 2004 that Mr Thomson revisited the idea of walking the family’s well-trodden path to council.

Two months after he was elected, Mr Thomson was thrown onto the national stage as one of two NSW representatives to the National Sea Change Taskforce.

“We did some really good stuff,” Mr Thomson said, of the group.

In 2013 Mr Thomson was elected director of lobbying group Local Government NSW. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Mr Thomson said that, at the end of the day, his motivation came down to a love for the Eurobodalla.

“I love the community and I think that is the only reason you could ever go into local government,” he said.

“There’s nothing better than to walk down the street in Moruya or Batemans Bay or somewhere and (see) all my friends, and people you’ve actually been able to help - that’s the reward.

“They talk about getting an OAM or something, that’s the not the reward - the reward is having been a part of it.”

Being a part of it is something Mr Thomson could never have done without his wife, Yvonne, by his side.

“There was nothing that I’ve done in my life that I could have done without her,” he said.

“I will always say it’s been an absolute privilege to have been able to represent this shire and this community. They’re my friends and they’re the people that are wonderful,” he said.

“You’ve got to acknowledge there’s life and there’s death.”

In the days since his death, flags at council flew at half-mast and tributes to Fergus Thomson have flowed in.

Bega MP Andrew Constance has paid tribute to the late Fergus Thomson as a man who went the extra mile for anyone in need.

"I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Councillor Fergus Thomson, OAM, passed away this morning at his family farm in Belowra," Mr Constance said on Friday, July 24.

"I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Yvonne and sons Brendan and James, along with their extended family and friends.

"Fergus was well known throughout our community for his commitment to helping others, always going the extra mile for those that were in need.

"Fergus loved the Eurobodalla and helping shape the future was something he was passionate about, which is why even during his illness he stayed so involved with what was happening in the region.

"The community is what drove his determination, to ensure it was headed in the right direction and that it was represented so fiercely and positively, always with the utmost integrity.

"Fergus will be missed by many, his legacy will live in the decisions he helped form and his memory will be forever etched in our community.”

Federal Member Dr Peter Hendy also paid tribute.

“Fergus was an important part of our community and worked tirelessly for the people of the Eurobodalla,” he said.

“From his lifelong involvement with Surf Lifesaving, through his service on Council and as Mayor, and, less publicly, to all whose lives he touched through his kindness and dedication.

“Even through illness, his commitment to helping others was undiminished. We will long benefit from Fergus's service to the community through the enduring legacy of his good works.”

Council staff will form a guard of honour for Clr Fergus Thomson on Wednesday, July 29 as his funeral car makes it way to the Broulee Crematorium for the funeral service at 2pm.

The funeral car will drive past Eurobodalla Shire Council's administration office along Vulcan Street at 12.45pm, led by a senior contingent of the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Pipes and Drums band. Yvonne and her family will follow immediately behind the funeral car. The Mayor will lay a wreath of wattle on the coffin.

There will also be a condolence book at council's front counter for people who would like to write a personal message for Fergus and his family.

At the end of this week, the book will be forwarded to the Thomson family.

Fergus' family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sydney Neuro Oncology Group.

A collection box is located at the Eurobodalla Shire Council front counter should anyone wish to make a donation, or visit www.snog.org.au

Council's flags remain at half-mast as a mark of respect for Fergus.