Marc Garneau, 1st Canadian astronaut in space, dead at 76 [Video]

Former astronaut and cabinet minister Marc Garneau has died. He was 76.

A statement from his wife, Pam Garneau, says he passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his family.

“Marc faced his final days with the same strength, clarity and grace that defined his life,” the statement says.

She says the family is grateful for the outpouring of support, concern and kind words received over the past few days and also asks for privacy “as we grieve this profound loss and take time to reflect and heal.”

Garneau was born on Feb. 23, 1949, in Quebec City. He studied engineering physics at the Royal Military College of Kingston, graduating in 1970, and he earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London in 1973.

He then began his career by enlisting in the Canadian Navy, where he served from 1974 …