Scholarships, gardening services and life advice - we'd all like to leave something behind when we die, and hope they would be acknowledged somehow.
But the outpouring of memories, condolences and thanks following the news of Canberra business giant Terry Snow's death has painted a portrait of a multifaceted man who changed his hometown of Canberra for the better, even as he walked among its people, living his life and helping others get through theirs.
The 80-year-old died over the weekend, leaving a giant legacy that included a close-knit family, awe-inspiring equestrian facility and world class concert hall, but also a medical foundation, a philanthropic fund, high school scholarships, and even just words of wisdom that continue to resonate.
Placemaker extraordinaire
It's a word that's bandied around a fair bit nowadays when it comes to advertising, real estate and urban development, but Snow, who only recently retired, was certainly a "placemaker".
He developed the Canberra Airport and surrounding business park into a stylish precinct - the first thing many visitors saw as they ventured beyond the terminal - and the Canberra Airport Group also created an entire town centre, Denman Prospect, from the ashes of the 2003 bushfires.
The group also transformed a small corner of Civic with a new office precinct, 1 Constitution Avenue, complete with their own public artworks and an award-winning restaurant.
Snow's imprint on his hometown is now everywhere, and many spoke of his contributions to today's capital city.
"Literally built modern day Canberra - and brought everyone along with him," said one Facebook commenter.
"Completely transformed Canberra for the better from a tired, dowdy cultural backwater to a contemporary, first class modern city through some very beautiful architecture - not to mention the airport, Majura Park, and his incredible selflessness through philanthropy."
Chief executive of the Property Council Mike Zorbas described him as a "city-shaper and a legendary contributor to his local community".
"Terry leaves the gift of great placemaking for all Canberrans and, equally, an ethos of excellence for us all to aspire to," he said.
Amalgamated Property Group General Manager and ACT Property Council Division president Phil O'Brien said no one had made a bigger contribution to the city.
"He was inspirational, he was a visionary and he has left an amazing legacy for the Canberra community," Mr O'Brien said.
Animal lover
Snow's influence also extended to the NSW South Coast - known as Canberra's summer playground - and specifically to Bawley Point, where the Snow family has long had property.
Many commenters hoped Snow had been able to see his horse Quincy B, with rider Jayden Brown, compete with the Australian dressage team at the Paris Olympics on Saturday night.
Willinga Park, which opened in 2016, came about because, in Snow's words, he wanted something for everyone - least of all the horses.
"I get a big kick out of my horses, so I thought, 'Why not build something beautiful for them that everyone can enjoy'," he said at the time.
But they were more than just an astonishingly well-resourced horse place; the facility's gardens and extensive landscape helped prevent the Black Summer fires of 2019-2020 from obliterating Bawley Point - an eventuality Snow had planned for from the outset.
It was rare to see Snow, particularly in recent years, without one or two dogs trailing behind. He even brought blue heeler China and Barney, the short-haired border collie, to regular meetings at the airport, where the main meeting rooms were named after the family's dogs.
But again, this wasn't confined to the family's privileged inner circle.
"I will always appreciate your support of Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Inc," read one Facebook comment.
"You spoke of your beloved Chilli with such pride."
Words to live by
It was Snow himself who was adamant that passion had to come before money.
"I think that the reason I've been successful is because of this passion and commitment," he once said.
"And it's not about money. My life is not about money."
But while he certainly did give a lot of money to the causes he cared about - from Australian Cattledog Rescue Inc to high-level medical research - his mantra was always to "get it done" above all.
Principal of Snow's alma mater Canberra Grammar School, Justin Garrick, said Snow had always been adamant about lifting up those who needed a hand.
"What was really special about Terry was that despite the gruff exterior and blunt spoken words, he was actually remarkably warm and giving," he said.
"He was all about enabling people, lifting people up, and giving them the chance to achieve things that they couldn't on their own. And he did that in the school, and I saw him do it with so many people.
"He was about recognising people who had talent and dedication but needed that extra to get them where they had to get to achieve their aspirations and their dreams, and so often he'd just step in and do that. It was remarkable."
He helped set up the school's elite educational centre, as well as the recently opened Snow Concert Hall, now a popular concert facility for the Canberra International Music Festival and various visiting acts.
"Terry believed in creating buildings commensurate to the capital, and this was about an institution of excellence - for the capital," Garrick said.
But Snow's attention did not seem to be confined to the self-fulfilling prophecy of a rich and privileged private school like Canberra Grammar and those lucky enough to attend.
Another Facebook commenter thanked him on behalf of the staff and students of Karabar High School, a public in Queanbeyan just across the border.
"The support provided to our students has been considerable and will have an ongoing impact. We cannot thank you enough!" said the commenter.
A spokesman for the Snow family confirmed the Snow Foundation had supported Karabar High with funding for scholarships.
And his philosophy did not just apply to school students. Another commenter who identified himself as a hospital worker from the Philippines said he had once had Mr Snow as a patient, and that the two had talked about the island nation.
"When I asked him what was one thing he could advise about life to young fella like me, his answer was short but sweet: live your life according to your values and always be grateful," he said.
"Wise words from a wise man. You're a legend sir! Have a rest now."
A multifaceted man
Ultimately, Snow was a no-nonsense, pragmatic type, who stayed on the ground and among the Canberra community - when he wasn't tending to his horses and dogs on his coastal estate.
"Fond memories of chatting with this old guy and his dog back in the earliest days of the establishment of Canberra Airport precinct. Only later finding out who he was," said a Facebook commenter.
"A great Canberran and role model for others on how to use wealth to build the community in which you live."
Another, Robbie Wallace of ACT Earthmoving & Truck Repairs recalled: "He drove into my backyard workshop back in the day in a dual cab hilux with a badly slipping clutch and said, 'Can you put a clutch in this and give me a lift back to the airport'? I obliged not really knowing who he was at the time ... a true gentleman."
And finally, a cryptic comment that hinted at yet another passion.
"Who is going to prune the roses at the airport now?" it read, leading to some head-scratching from the family headquarters.
In the end, it's the ultimate compliment - yet another hidden depth from a complex - but ultimately pragmatic man.
