Friday May 9, 08:11 PM

League legend Jack Gibson dies

By Yahoo!7 News Legendary Australian rugby league coach Jack Gibson has died aged 79, after a long battle with illness.

Gibson had been living at a Sydney nursing home since 2006, fighting the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

His family has issued a statement to media, expressing gratitude for the care he had received.

"Jack passed away comfortably today, at 6.32pm at the Garawarra Centre, Waterfall, surrounded by his family."

" We are dealing as well as we can and would ask that Jack's many friends in their sadness that he is no longer with us, do not feel too sorry."

"Jack would not want that; it was his own strong belief and appreciation that he had had a very fortunate life, and we know he would have wanted that to be the spirit of this time."

Gibson's coaching career began at the Roosters in 1967 and he coached St George, Newtown, South Sydney, Parramatta and Cronulla before retiring in 1990.

Sides coached by Gibson won five rugby league premierships.

Gibson also played 152 first grade games with Eastern Suburbs from 1953-1961, Newtown in 1962 and Western Suburbs. He retired as a player in 1964.