AS BRETT TAYLOR'S mates came to terms with his death in the Mumbai terrorist attacks yesterday, they spoke of a loving husband and father, a firm friend, and a man with timber in his veins.

The 49-year-old from North Turramurra who was staying at the Trident Oberoi leaves behind a wife and children, a large social circle and a timber business that was part of a family tradition stretching back five generations.

Craig Digby, who had known Mr Taylor since preparatory school, described his friend as "very down to earth and forthright".

"You had to know him to understand him, but once you did, you realised he had a heart of gold," said Mr Digby, part of the Trinity Grammar old boys network of which Mr Taylor was a proud member.

"It's hard to believe that we just had our 30-year reunion last year - class of '77. He and I organised it together."

Mr Taylor had joined the NSW trade delegation to Mumbai, which arrived in the city on Wednesday, in his capacity as the co-owner of Blacktown Timber.

"He followed in his father's footsteps in the timber business - he was very proud of his work," another former classmate, Peter Freedman, said.

"He was a great Australian - a man of his word. He loved his wife and kids - he was absolutely devoted to them. Just a great bloke … he had a great heart."

Another former classmate, Michael, said "Stubbsy", as Mr Taylor was known at school, was a man who took a keen interest in everyone.

"We caught up at the school reunion every 10 years," the classmate, who did not wish to give his full name, said.

"He was a fun-loving dude but he was made of the right stuff. He loved his family and cared for people. He loved making people happy. He got a real buzz from organising the school reunions."