Mr Doszpot, a Canberra family man, refugee, football [soccer] lover and Canberra Liberals MLA, passed away at the weekend, aged 69.

After a lengthy battle with liver cancer, he will be farewelled at a state funeral in Saint Christopher's Catholic Cathedral in Forrest on Friday morning at 10am.

"He had a copy of the prayer in his office and over the last few months when he was finding it difficult to sleep, he'd say he was praying that prayer," Maureen, his wife, said on Tuesday.

"It summed up the way he wanted to live his life, not so much looking out for himself, but always for others, and we'll be singing that prayer at his funeral on Friday."

While the past year had been difficult for the family, Maureen said it had also been a privilege to have that time together.

"We were very, very close, very dear to each other and we were able to talk about what Steve was facing and he faced it with a great deal of spiritual acceptance, emotional acceptance," she said.

"Perhaps he was really the one that was trying to make us feel comfortable and comforting us, rather than the other way around."

Maureen said while the past month had felt like Steve was "disappearing in front of us", as his body slowly succumbed to the disease, he had a "peaceful end".

"I think his faith was what sustained him and his love of family, and in the final days, he was able to speak to each of us individually and to his siblings as well and I think he had very special messages for each and every one of us," she said.

She said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support - hundreds of calls, emails, social media messages, cards and letters from many he knew - since his valedictory speech in the Assembly just one month ago.

"I think for someone who gave so much to the community and did it so selflessly, to get that back from so many people before he passed away meant a lot to him," Maureen said.

There were tears during a condolence motion in the Assembly on Tuesday, with MLAs Vicki Dunne and Andrew Wall among others struggling to find their voice during emotional speeches as his family looked on.

At the Canberra Liberals annual general meeting last week, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull even took the time to speak in his honour, acknowledging his "remarkable contribution" to the territory and congratulating him for his years of service.

His son Adam said the family was humbled by the messages from so many people whose lives were touched by his Dad, a man he looked up to, who coached him in soccer, and who later became his "best mate".

"I was very happy that we were able to watch the Socceroos qualify [for the World Cup] the week before last; I will hold that forever in my memory," Adam said.

Daughter Amy said she was so proud of her father and happy Chief Minister Andrew Barr had honoured him with a state funeral.

"He certainly will be watching with all his soccer mates up there, with Johnny Warren, Les Murray and Charlie Perkins," she said.

"They'll all be up there and I think it's quite fitting all of them got state funerals as well - he'll be welcomed into the club."