Canberra Raiders greats among hundreds to farewell Don Furner snr

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, Wayne Bennett, Laurie Daley, Craig Bellamy, Glenn Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, Jason Croker and Neil Henry were all there to celebrate the life of the man who built the Raiders' foundations at a packed St Christopher's Cathedral on Thursday.

They were all there to honour the Raiders inaugural coach, who took them to their first grand final alongside Bennett in 1987.

His son Don Furner jnr delivered a heartfelt eulogy that painted a picture of his father, who was fittingly born on Boxing Day - he once fought for the Australian heavyweight title in 1953.

A kind and honest man who never had a bad word to say about anybody. He didn't drink, smoke or swear.

That wasn't because he was religious, instead preferring to rely on his extensive rugby league knowledge to find a path into Heaven.

As a player, he represented Australia and Queensland, before going on to be a highly successful coach - he led the Queanbeyan Blues to 10 premierships in 13 years and took Easts to the 1972 grand final before taking charge of the Raiders.

"God needs someone up there to coach his footy team," Don Furner jnr recalled his father saying.

It seems his generosity didn't extend to Raiders players dating his daughter Catherine.

One player found out the hard way when he came to pick her up.

Furner snr took him aside for a quick chat. The player returning with a dejected look on his face.

"I've cut his contract. He won't be at the Raiders next year," Furner snr revealed after they'd left for the date.

Former Wallaby John Ballesty played under Furner snr at Easts and was part of the team that made the 1972 grand final.

He described his former coach as someone who told you exactly what he thought, as well as being a "genuine gentleman in every form of life".

For Ballesty that involved being told he would spend his first season in the reserves learning the game having made the switch from union.

That's when he found out about Furner snr's legendary training sessions.

Ballesty came home from his first Easts training barely able to move, spending the night lying motionless on the floor.

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He recalled the comment he made to a Sydney newspaper the next day.

"If I could give the money back and get back to rugby union I'd do it in a heartbeat," Ballesty said.

Raiders chaplain John Woods joined the Raiders in 1986 - the year before Furner snr and Bennett guided the Green Machine to the grand final.

He recalled Furner snr's sense of humour and "disarming smile".

In 1987, the Raiders led Parramatta 22-0 at half-time, only to end up losing 30-22.

"Don later claimed that he coached the first half and Wayne the second," Woods said.

Then it was time for further stories and farewells at the wake.

His son felt his rugby league expertise might not be the only thing he would pass on in the afterlife.

"Goodbye Dad. I'm sure wherever you are you'll be showing them that trusty left hook of yours," Don Furner jnr said.