Nigel Wright, the former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Stephen Harper, has died at 62, his employer said in a press release Tuesday.
The cause of death was not immediately known.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our cherished colleague and friend, Nigel,” said Bobby Le Blanc, president and CEO of Onex, a Canadian private equity firm.
“He was the consummate gentleman who set the standard for professionalism. Over nearly three decades with Onex, he was committed to its values, its culture, and most of all its people, who regarded him with deep admiration and affection. We will miss him dearly.”
A lawyer by training, Wright was drawn to Conservative politics from a young age and worked for past leaders Brian Mulroney and Kim Campbell before launching a successful career at Onex, where he led the firm’s London, U.K., office and helped broker mergers and acquisitions.
In 2010, Wright took a leave of absence to work in Harper’s office, where he managed dozens of political staffers and helped the Conservatives secure a majority government in the May 2011 federal election.
Wright was drawn into the Senate expenses fiasco when, in 2013, he gave $90,000 to then-senator Mike Duffy to repay questionable housing and living expenses claims that were at the centre of an auditor general and internal Senate probe.
Wright resigned from his post in 2014 but Harper later said he was “dismissed.” Harper maintained he knew nothing of Wright’s payment until the details were made public.
Duffy was criminally charged with accepting a bribe from Wright, but was ultimately acquitted.
Wright was a high-profile witness at Duffy’s trial and he testified he cut the cheque to contain a political problem and save the federal treasury.
Wright himself was never charged but the federal ethics commissioner found he breached the ethics act by dipping into his own pocket to cover Duffy’s expenses.
After his stint in the Prime Minister’s Office, Wright returned to his work at Onex.
“Nigel was a remarkably astute investor, an outstanding leader and an even more exceptional individual,” Gerry Schwartz, Onex chair, said in a statement Tuesday.
“His professional and personal achievements may seem at odds with a man who was so humble and selfless with his time and resources. His passing is a loss not just for Onex but for anyone who had the privilege to know him.
“I take comfort in knowing that his legacy will carry on through the many enterprises, foundations, charities and individuals who benefited from his kindness and generosity.”
A number of prominent Conservatives mourned Wright’s death in public statements.
“Nigel was a brilliant, hard-working, principled and decent man,” said former PMO staffer Michael Solberg.
“A stunning and massive loss. Nigel Wright was one of Canada’s most selfless individuals. He contributed mightily to Canadian conservatism, mostly quietly, always modestly,” said Ken Boessenkool, a former Harper adviser.
“The hardest-working person I have ever known — first one in, last one out. Brilliant, humble and kind. His sharp mind and unwavering dedication left a mark on all of us who had the privilege to work alongside him. Gone much too young. May his memory be eternal,” said Dimitris Soudas, a former director of communications in Harper’s office.
