Ted Mack's life celebrated in Sydney

The life of Ted Mack, known as the "Father of Independents," has been celebrated at a service at Sydney's Luna Park.

Mr Mack, who served in local, state and federal politics, died at 84 earlier this month, two years after he was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer.

On Friday a host of current and former politicians attended the public memorial for the man former treasurer Joe Hockey once described as having "redefined politics" on Sydney's lower north shore.

Former federal independent MP Rob Oakshott and Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore were among the mourners.

Mr Mack was elected to NSW parliament in 1981 after winning the Liberal seat of North Shore and retired in 1988, two days before he would have qualified for the parliamentary pension.

He represented the same region federally, where he most notably opposed the first Gulf War.