Canada's ex-Gov. Gen LeBlanc dies at 81

OTTAWA, June 24 (UPI) -- Canada's former governor general, Romeo LeBlanc, 81, died Wednesday morning at his home in New Brunswick, his son announced.

LeBlanc was the country's first Acadian representative of the British monarchy and served from 1995 to 1999. After first working in teaching and journalism, he became press secretary to Liberal Prime Ministers Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau before he was elected a member of Parliament in 1972.

He later served as a Cabinet minister and was appointed to the Senate in 1984 and became speaker of the Senate in 1993, CTV News reported.

LeBlanc had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease in recent years, the (Toronto) Globe and Mail said.

His son Dominic was elected as a member of Parliament in 1997. He told the Globe he was at his father's side when he died at home in Grande Digue.

CTV said a state funeral will likely take place in LeBlanc's hometown of Memramcook, in southeastern New Brunswick at the beginning of July.

LeBlanc is survived by his wife and four children.