"A true statesman" and "a gentle giant" are some of the descriptions of former taoiseach John Bruton from people in his hometown of Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Local residents have been describing both their shock and sadness over news of his death.
He grew up in Dunboyne on a family farm and he spent most of his life there.
Kay Slevin, 90, described how on the day he became taoiseach in 1994, he stopped in the town and called into her pub before going up to his parents.
She said she knew him and his family very well.
Ms Slevin said: "They were great helpers and gave us a lot of business.
"He was very important to most people and friendly."
Another local resident described him as a "gentle giant" who always had time to stop and talk to people.
Paul Maher, a friend of the family, said he was a man of the locality and the Brutons were focused on politics so it was not surprising to him or others that he became taoiseach.
He said in his downtime Mr Bruton loved to go on walks and the farm was also important to him.
A young resident of the town who works in the town's Supervalu, reflected on recent years when he came into the supermarket and many people would not realise that "there was a former taoiseach in doing the shopping".
He said even for younger generations his name and success are firmly rooted in the community.
Local Fine Gael Councillor Maria Murphy said people close to him knew he was ill but it is still sad and upsetting on hearing of his death.
She said he was kept busy with national and international politics for many years but after he stepped away from politics he was still involved in the community and always seen at mass on Sunday.
"And indeed a pint as well. He loved his pint," Cllr Murphy said.
She said he was a very kind caring and intelligent man who helped others and was grounded.
"He was a true statesman. He cared about Meath and his country," she added.
She also said he had strong views on issues and stayed true to that.
