Bob Cook summed it up best when he told mourners at the state funeral of Peter Morris that it would take hours to fully describe the extent of his close friend and confidant's passion and his legacy to the Hunter.
Of the many words spoken in honour and celebration of the former member for Shortland's massive contribution to the nation, state and Hunter over many decades, when it was all said and done, love of family and community service were what mattered most to him.
About 200 family, friends, political allies and beloved constituents gathered on Friday to farewell Mr Morris, who died on April 26 aged 93.
One of eight children, Mr Morris embraced his proud Greek heritage, even though it made him the target of schoolyard bullies.
It marked the beginning of a life of resilience, service, hard work and a desire to fight for others.
They were the same qualities that prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to recently refer to Mr Morris as a "great Novocastrian who gave our movement heart."
Phil Ashley-Brown, who delivered a eulogy as per his former boss's request, referred to Mr Morris's 'four great strengths'.
They were his ability to gather people together, his passion, his willingness to fight for what he believed in and personal discipline.
"He had a knack of making people feel like they were the most important person in the world," Mr Ashley-Brown said.
Elected with the Whitlam Labor wave of 1972, Mr Morris served in parliament until 1998 in the portfolios of transport, resources, housing and aged care, transport and communications support and industrial relations.
He was present on the steps of the Old Parliament House when Gough Whitlam read his famous dismissal speech in November 1975.
His achievements were many and included the establishment of Newcastle Airport, the upgrade of 16,000 kilometres of national highway, reforming the road freight industry, opening up commercial aviation and advocating for Western Sydney Airport and writing the "Ships of Shame" report in 1992.
In a message, former prime minister Paul Keating described his former parliamentary colleague as an "all-rounder with an eye for value".
He praised the crucial role that Mr Morris had played in early land purchases for Western Sydney Airport in the mid-1980s.
"I let Peter have the $28 million he needed to buy the Badgerys Creek rural pasturelands. Without that timely, and I might say low cost purchase in 1986-87 there would be no second airport for Sydney being built and opened this year," Mr Keating said.
Shortland MP Pat Conroy, who represented the prime minister at the state funeral, said Mr Morris brought "a deeply held commitment to Labor values, and a determination to make a difference for the region and beyond" to parliament.
"The fact both Peter and his brother Allan, became federal members of parliament, and his son the late and much missed Matthew Morris, the Member for Charlestown, is a wonderful Australian success story," Mr Conroy said.
"He leaves an incredible legacy of service to the parliament and the community, and he will be fondly remembered by the many, many people whose lives he touched."
Mr Morris' wife Florence died in 2019.
He is survived by sons Michael, Paul and John.
His youngest son Matthew, a former state MP for Charlestown, died from a brain tumour in 2020.
