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Former finance minister Michael Wilson, whose many accomplishments also included serving as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., and as the chancellor of the University of Toronto, died on Sunday at the age of 81.

His death was confirmed by Bruce Rothney, CEO of Barclays Capital Canada, where Wilson had served as chairman since 2010. Rothney said Wilson died of cancer.

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Wilson served in various portfolios in the Conservative governments of Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney between 1979 and 1993. He was the ambassador to the U.S. from 2006 until 2009.

Photo by Darren Calabrese / The Canadian Press

Following his son’s suicide, the politician and investment executive became a dedicated mental health advocate, establishing the Cameron Parker Holcombe Wilson Chair in Depression Studies at the University of Toronto.

Following announcement of Wilson’s death Sunday, Toronto Mayor John Tory praised him in a tweet as “was one of the most intelligent, decent people I have ever met, inside or outside of politics and public life.”