Updated February 25, 2020 14:02:09

Photo: Former Canberra Raiders coach Don Furner Sr has died aged 87. (Facebook: Canberra Raiders)

Inaugural Canberra coach and former Kangaroos mentor Don Furner Sr has died following a period of illness.

The club confirmed Furner, whose son is current Raiders chief executive Don Furner, died at 87 on Monday night.

Furner was Canberra head coach between 1982 and 1986 before jointly taking the Raiders to their first grand final with Wayne Bennett in 1987.

In a statement, Raiders chairman Dr Allan Hawke paid tribute to Furner.

"Don Furner Senior was a fundamental piece of the architecture in putting our club together," Dr Hawke said.

"He distinguished himself as a player, an exemplary coach and then as an administrator.

Photo: Don Furner joined forces with Wayne Bennett to coach Canberra to the 1987 grand final. (Facebook: Canberra Raiders)

"Very few people would have the gift to excel in all the facets of rugby league, but Don Furner Sr did."

Current Raiders coach Ricky Stuart described Furner as a "big, bubbly personality", who had a "massive impact" on the club as its foundation coach.

"He most definitely has left a wonderful legacy for this club, our first coach, the first coach to get us to a grand final," he said.

"I was very fortunate to be personal friends with the Furner family and had some wonderful advice [from Furner] as a young guy coming through my school football (rugby union) and junior league days.

"I was very fortunate to have known the man and we as a club are very fortunate to have had a guy who played for Australia and coached Australia to be our first coach here. He will be sadly missed."

AAP

Topics: rugby-league, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted February 25, 2020 14:00:45