Terrence Freebody lived life as a "true gentleman" who did not deserve to have his life ended in a stabbing attack at the hands of his neighbour, his family says.
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Mr Freebody had fought for his country during World War II, was a local sporting legend in both rugby league and cricket, and a successful businessman.
An ACT Supreme Court jury in April found Luigi Costa, 72, guilty of Mr Freebody's murder at Red Hill in 2012.
Costa had invited neighbour Mr Freebody and his wife over for drinks and to show them his Mugga Way home on July 22, 2012.
Mr Freebody's wife left, and sometime later Costa pushed her husband off his chair, stomped on his face and neck, and then repeatedly stabbed him.
Costa then called the police, who arrived soon after to find Mr Freebody dead on the dining room floor and Costa in a nearby toilet with a blood-stained knife.
He had been drinking and exhibited bizarre behaviour and aggression in the presence of police.
Costa has been in custody since.
Mr Freebody was a well-known community figure in Canberra and Queanbeyan.
Mr Freebody's sons and widow read victim impact statements to a Supreme Court sentencing hearing on Thursday.
Eldest son, Glenn Freebody, described the joy of his father's 89th birthday celebrations only days before he was killed in the most "tragic and horrific circumstances".
He said this was snatched away with a panic stricken phone call and hours of waiting for confirmation his father - who he described as his best friend - had been murdered.
Glenn Freebody said his father had lived life as a true gentleman, who had fought for his country, excelled on the sporting field and in business, and gave back to the community.
"[He] should not have died like this," he said.
He said Costa's actions filled him with hate and loathing.
"One senseless act that will affect so many for the rest of their lives," he said.
Brett Freebody described how the "inhumane and evil act" had left him tortured with "dark feelings" and plagued him with sadness, anger and depression.
He told the court Costa should be given a lifetime to think about his crime.
Mr Freebody's widow, Lennis, spoke of her devastation that she did not take Mr Freebody home with her that afternoon.
"I should have known that Terry would not have heard the last part of the conversation in Mr Costa's home, however, I wasn't to know he was in danger," she said.
"I didn't know that Mr Costa was capable of committing such a crime."
The court also heard from Corrections ACT case manager, Lisa Spulak, who has visited Costa weekly at Canberra jail.
Ms Spulak said the offender had good long-term memory, but his short-term recall appeared an issue.
Guardianship and other legal issues had to be explained on a weekly basis.
Chief Justice Helen Murrell adjourned the matter until December 2 for an expert, who examined Costa for the Crown, to be available for cross-examination.
The judge indicated she intended to hand down sentence on the day.
Clarification: An earlier version of this article stated that Lennis Freebody had felt partly responsible for the death as she had left him behind when she left his killer's home. Mrs Freebody, who had been her husband's carer for the previous three years, in fact said: "That is why I felt so devastated that I didn't take Terry home with me."
