The sudden death of Terrence Freebody, 89, has left those closest to him distraught with shock and grief.

Mr Freebody was found by police in Luigi Costa's Red Hill home on Sunday. He had fatal knife wounds and police have charged across-the-road neighbour Costa, 69, with his murder.

As the grieving for the well-known Mr Freebody continues, more stories have emerged of a superbly talented sportsman, an intelligent businessman, and a war veteran terribly affected by the atrocities he saw in World War II.

Somewhat overshadowed by his prowess as a cricketer who played for the Prime Minister's XI was Mr Freebody's talent as a towering five-eighth, who returned from the war to establish the Queanbeyan Blues as a country rugby league powerhouse.

The Queanbeyan Blues team of 1946 was one of local legend, and Mr Freebody led it as a championship-winning captain.

Such was the strength of the 1946 Blues that Johnny Hawke, who would go on to represent Australia two seasons later and eventually captain the great St George Dragons premiership team of 1949, could not crack a regular first-grade spot.

''It was one of the better teams in the club's history,'' Queanbeyan League Club president and Canberra Raiders chairman John McIntyre said.

''The Queanbeyan Blues was one of the strongest rugby league teams in country NSW, in fact at that time they probably could just about have won the Sydney competition if they'd played in it.

''They did beat three Sydney teams that year.''

The dominance of the Blues attracted the attention of The Sydney Morning Herald, which featured caricatures of the entire squad in its September 16, 1946, edition.

Mr Freebody was the sole surviving member of the team until his tragic death at the weekend.

His family, including brother-in-law Ted Royal, are still trying to come to terms with the sudden loss.

''I still can't comprehend it,'' Mr Royal said.

''He was more of a brother to me than a brother-in-law,'' he said.

''I never saw him angry, never saw him cranky with anyone, he was just a real good bloke.''

Mr Freebody built a local business dynasty through hard work and a keen intelligence, Mr Royal said.

He owned car garages, bike shops, cinemas and a number of car dealerships at various points in his life. But despite Mr Freebody's wealth, Mr Royal said the 89-year-old stayed grounded.

''He had a few bob, but he was never flashy, no one knew the amount of money that he had, he was just your average bloke,'' Mr Royal said.

''I don't think he had an enemy once, everyone liked him he was very well known in Queanbeyan,'' he said.

Mr Freebody's war-time experiences had affected him deeply, according to Mr Royal.

He was exposed to some of the worst atrocities suffered by Australian soldiers in WWII, when he was tasked to help find and rescue the handful of men who survived the horrific Sandakan death march by the Japanese.

Costa remains in custody and his bail application is expected to resume next month, after further mental health examinations.