JACK Boothman, the first Protestant president of the GAA, served the association "with distinction".
Current GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail was among dozens of people who paid tribute to the Co Wicklow man following his death on Tuesday.
Mr Boothman served a three-year term as the head of the association after he was elected the 31st president of the GAA in 1994 - becoming the first Protestant to assume the role.
He held the post for three years and during that time, which came in the aftermath of the 1994 IRA ceasefire, he championed the abolition of Rule 21 banning members of the British security forces from joining the GAA.
During his final presidential address, Mr Boothman spoke of his sadness that the contentious rule had remained during his term in office.
"My presidency was a time of great hope and fierce disappointment in Northern Ireland," he said in 1997.
"I am sad to say that as regards Rule 21, which excludes British soldiers and policemen from GAA membership, we did not make the strides that might have been expected in changing circumstances."
The father-of-six, who was in his late 70s, was a former Leinster Council GAA chairman and remained president of his native Blessington GAA club in Wicklow until his death.
A statement on the club's website said: "We sadly learned this morning of the passing of our lifetime member, former player, club official in several capacities and present club trustee, Jack Boothman.
"We were immensely proud of his achievements nationally and I know he took huge pride in his own club, none more evident than when we hosted last years Féile.
"As a mark of respect we are closing the pitches and the facilities for the rest of the week."
Mr Ó Fearghail, who succeeded Mr Boothman as GAA president, said he was "great company".
"Jack Boothman was a man I considered to be a friend and he served the GAA with distinction," he said.
"I had the privilege of knowing him since the 1980s and have very fond memories of attending an Irish language course with him and Joe McDonagh in the Meath Gaeltacht of Rath Chairn. He was great company.
"He had great interest in the club and the last conversation I had with him recently he told me 'don’t forget about the clubs'.
"On behalf of the association as a whole I would like to offer my condolences to his wife Nuala and his extended family and his wide circle of friends."
Wicklow Ladies Football also described Mr Boothman "always a gentleman and a ground-breaking president of the GAA".
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said: "He did great work during his time as president of the GAA and long-time involvement with the association.
"Jack played a pivotal role in overseeing the redevelopment of Croke Park and the advancement of the GAA in the mid-90s and used the office to reach out to people across the island of Ireland and beyond."
