Marc Garneau, a legendary figure in Canadian history, passed away at 76, as confirmed by his wife Pamela Garneau in a statement on Wednesday. She shared that Marc bravely faced his final days after fighting a brief illness, although details regarding the cause and location of his death were not disclosed. The couple resided in Montreal.

Garneau has a storied background as a third-generation military officer, and his career took an unexpected turn after he noticed an advertisement for astronauts during his time at the National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa in 1983. This pivotal moment launched him into the realm of space exploration.

His first mission took place in 1984 aboard the space shuttle Challenger, where he contributed to projects focusing on atmospheric studies. Garneau made two additional flights in 1996 and 2000 aboard Endeavour, following the tragic Challenger disaster in 1986. Beyond his contributions to space flight, Garneau became the head of the Canadian Space Agency in 2001, shaping the future of the nation’s exploration efforts.

In addition to his accomplishments in aerospace, Garneau transitioned to a successful political career under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, further solidifying his legacy in the fabric of Canadian society.