Former deputy-mayor Peter Bray, who died on Sunday. Picture: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

Mr Bray, who served on the council for 12 years until July 2020, died on Sunday with his family by his side.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council mayor Tim Overall said Mr Bray was a councillor who was dedicated to the community and to his family.

"Peter Bray was a great friend of mine and many in our community," Cr Overall said.

"He was a dedicated and professional councillor and took his duties very seriously.

"My thoughts are with Councillor Bray's wife, children and friends and family."

Flags at the council's three offices across the Queanbeyan area have been flown at half mast following news of Mr Bray's death.

Mr Bray was first elected to the council in 2008 and was re-elected twice, in 2012 and 2017.

During that time he was elected deputy-mayor for four straight one-year terms.

He also was a part of the Local Representation Committee while Queanbeyan Council was in administration as it merged with the neighbouring Palerang Council.

Mr Bray retired from council duties in July due to health issues.

In his time prior to serving as part of Queanbeyan Council, Mr Bray served in the Army for more than 40 years, where he achieved the rank of Brigadier.

Serving in the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, Mr Bray fulfilled a crucial role in the Vietnam War where he oversaw a unit that supplied soldiers with weapons, clothing, tents, armoured vehicles, tools and all manner of technical equipment.

Working as a logistics operations officer in the war, Mr Bray oversaw the deployment of two convoys a day from an Australian compound in Vung Tau, each consisting of 50 vehicles, to provide necessary supplies to soldiers.

Mr Bray was a passionate and dedicated disability advocate, being a former chief executive of Hartley Lifecare and also vice-president of the Queanbeyan Special Needs Group.

Mr Bray's daughter, Geraldine, was left wheelchair-bound after a terrible car accident at age 18. She required constant care from Mr Bray and his wife Margaret.

Not satisfied to sit back where he saw an opportunity for improvement, Mr Bray commenced his tilt for local government.

"I got onto council in the first place to try and establish disability support services," Mr Bray said ahead of the 2017 Queanbeyan-Palerang election.

"I do all of this on Geraldine's behalf because her career was cut short, so I do it all for her."

Mr Bray was instrumental in achieving much-needed improvements in disability access across the Queanbeyan-Palerang region.

He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995.

Mr Bray's council colleagues paid tribute to him on social media after his death.

Fellow councillor Mark Schweikert said he was very sad at the loss of a great mate.

"His humour always reminded me of the famous Ronnie Corbet of The Two Ronnies from the 70s," he said.

"He always had a joke about everything. I tried to outjoke him but he always bested me.

"A huge loss to the community that will not be realised by many for a long time."

Councillor Kenrick Winchester added, "Peter was a great advocate for our community and he will be sorely missed".