The family of the late Powerscourt co-owner Michael Slazenger say they are struggling to cope with their grief after the 69-year-old died two weeks ago.

Slazenger was flying in a light aircraft when the plane got into difficulty and crashed into a tree. His passenger, Noel Whitney, died immediately but Slazenger was brought to Tallaght Hospital and later transferred to St James's where he died two days later.

Speaking about the accident from the Powerscourt estate, Michael's brother Peter said the family were trying to stay busy and were looking after each other through their grief.

"A freak gust of wind came up on one side of the plane as he was about to land and we have established that this is what happened. Sometimes, you can't avoid nature. He was flying since he was 12 years old. Because of the strict regulations involved in flying, he was always getting the plane checked and had a massive amount of flying hours to his name. It was a huge shock. Flying was his passion. Right now the whole family are pulling together."

Slazenger's son-in-law, William Micklem, said the family had received countless letters of condolence to the estate, including letters from the Korean ambassador and from President Mary McAleese.

"We cannot believe the letters we are getting from people we didn't even know that Michael knew.

"Mary McAleese sent a letter saying she was praying for us to get through this tough time. The fact that 800 people turned up to his funeral really says it all. He, however, never mentioned all these people he knew, he never name- dropped. We are stunned," said Micklem.

Peter Slazenger credited his late brother with transforming the Powerscourt estate and turning it from its previous state of disrepair into one of Ireland's most popular country estates, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors each year.

"After my mother, Gwen, died we were in a state over what to do with Powerscourt. It was gutted after a fire and we were finding it difficult to maintain the grounds. We had people up looking at the place but they could not see any potential. Michael, however, saw the potential straight away and he said he wanted to transform Powerscourt with our support. He really believed he could do it, and he did."

The family said that reports of Slazenger being a multi-millionaire who was heir to the Slazenger brand were "upsetting and completely untrue".

"The ties with the Slazenger tennis company were cut in the 1950s. So, when we were reading all these newspaper pieces and obituaries on how he was heir to the Slazenger name and an extremely wealthy man it was a bit upsetting. He was a doctor for 25 years and that is what he would want to be remembered for."

Slazenger worked in both St Vincent's Hospital and in St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire before retiring, something which upset him initially.

"He wanted to work locum as a doctor, he didn't really want to retire, and he was fantastic at his job. But because of insurance requirements he couldn't and this upset him a bit.

"Over the last few years, though, he grew accustomed to putting his hand to everything in the estate, and enjoying retirement with his wife Noreen."

The former anaesthetist met his wife when they were placed sitting in college together because of alphabetical seating. According to Micklem, they fell in love straight away.

"Her family were not impressed by the prospective suitor. So one day he flew his plane onto the beach where Noreen and her mother were sitting, got off in front of them, and presented Noreen with a bouquet of flowers. There were no issues after that."

The Slazengers said they would remember their brother as a man of "no bullshit" who got things done, but would not be preparing a memorial in the grounds.

"That is not what he would want. This is his memorial, all of Powerscourt."