Noel White was once dubbed the fastest man in NSW rugby league, earned Australian selection while playing at Kurri Kurri and had been the oldest surviving Kangaroos representative.
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His life and sporting career will now be celebrated at Stockton on Friday.
He died late last week aged 95.
Bulldogs historian and former president Jeff Polglase described Kurri's team of the century winger White as a "friendly" man, who attended an "old boys" day in 2012 honouring his own premiership-winning side from 67 years prior.
Polglase said the 1945 squad, including the likes of White, Welsh international Dennis Booker and NSW representative Viv Madge, holds a special place in the club's history.
"It's the best side Kurri's had as far as I'm concerned," Polglase said.
Tributes for White have flowed on social media.
Jeff Latter called him a "great man", Graeme Bischoff wrote "top bloke" while Maisie Mahady added "great Kurri Kurri footballer, great guy".
Marlene Shaw said White was her "first athletics coach".
White was renowned for his speed and in 1944 beat Sydney rugby league sprinter Fred Dhu in a 110-yard race, stopping the clock at 12 seconds flat and winning by four yards.
"The Kurri Kurri boy left no doubt who was the fastest player in the game," according to a Bulldogs history book.
White had a short yet distinguished career - debuting for Kurri seniors in 1943 before representing Newcastle, Country, NSW and Australia between 1944 and 1946.
He played a Test match against Great Britain at the SCG in 1946. He then represented Queensland after moving to Townsville and Brisbane Wests.
A serious knee injury ended his time in rugby league aged 23 and on the verge of a Kangaroos tour in 1948. He also coached Kurri in 1953.
White was the father and father-in-law of Brian and Marilyn, Philip and Diane, Jan and Gary. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
White's funeral will be held at Stockton's Westcott Chapel on June 28 from 1:30pm.
