Photo: Rotary Club of Kelowna

Vern Nielsen is being lauded as a leader and an inspiration.

Nielsen, who served in many charitable and business capacities, died Feb. 11 following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 67.

Nielsen was a longtime Rotary Club member. He served for several years as president of the Rotary Club of Kelowna, and was instrumental in many visits by the world-renowned Snowbirds aerobatic team.

"Yesterday, Rotary lost a great leader and friend to many of us in Zone 24. Vern Nielsen was the current District 5060 governor and our friend from Kelowna. He was a great contributor to both his community and Rotary, and will be greatly missed with much sadness," Rotary International member Doug Vincent posted.

"Our sympathy and condolences go out to Willy and their family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. He fought a long and courageous cancer battle and inspired many, with the way he kept a positive spirit and attitude about life. RIP Vern."

Nielsen was recently an Okanagan College Foundation board member.

He twice ran unsuccessfully for the federal Liberals in the Kelowna-Lake Country riding and also had unsuccessful runs at civic politics.

Most recently, he was a part-owner of Dockside Marine.

He was named Kelowna's man of the year in 2009.