As recently as last September, Mr McGrady was still an active participant, leading Orara Valley’s reserve-grade team to a memorable premiership victory over Coffs Harbour.

Later that afternoon he enjoyed the supreme thrill of watching his son, Jason Jr, steer the Axemen’s first-grade to a one-point win over Woolgoolga.

Orara Valley club president Glenn Soper said the club is deeply saddened by Mr McGrady’s passing at the tender age of 39.

Soper added that his absence will be sorely felt by those at the club. “We’ll miss his smile,” Soper said.

“He had that funny, wry smile in everything that he did.

“He was a very important part of our club.”

Reserved and gentlemanly, and a member of one of the country’s largest and best-known rugby league families, Mr McGrady was a member of the Orara Valley team coached by Matt Donovan, which defeated Coffs Harbour in 1997’s epic, extra-time decider.

He later switched to Bellinger Valley-Dorrigo but was forced to step down when his condition was diagnosed.

Against all odds, he made a comeback to playing with Sawtell before heading back to the Axemen to complete his career.

While many in the area remember McGrady fondly as a fine footballer in Group Two, he also played in seven first-grade matches with Canterbury-Bankstown making his debut against Easts in 1991, playing alongside his older brother Ewan.

The following week he achieved a rare distinction of playing all three grades in the one day including 60 minutes in first grade against Illawarra.

When Jason Jr was signed by Cronulla Sharks, the family packed their bags for the city, to support their son.

Coffs Harbour’s reserve-grade coach Brenden Pellegrino, said he’d addressed his team at training on Tuesday night with memories about his late rival.

“Football is just a small facet of life and there’s a wider picture out there,” he said.

“Jason was a lovely bloke and was taken too young and I wanted the boys to see that you have to take your opportunities and do the best you can while you have time, as you don’t know what’s around the corner.

“His loss is a terrible shame.”

Mr McGrady is survived by his wife Leah and seven children Elise, Kirra, Jason Jr, Sharon, Liam, Hanna and Josh.