Eugene Melnyk, the wealthy Canadian who was a prominent race horse owner and business operator in Barbados has died at the age of 62.

The announcement was made by the Ottawa Senators, professional ice hockey team which he owned.

The team released news of Mr. Melnyk’s death with a statement from his family that mentioned what was described as “an illness he faced with determination and courage.”

The statement did not explain what the illness was.

Mr. Melnyk had a liver transplant in 2015 after a public campaign for a donor.

The Toronto native was involved in other businesses around Canada and in 2010 had an estimated net worth of 1.21 billion dollars.

Mr. Melnyk was also a successful thoroughbred horse-racing breeder, twice being named Canada’s top owner.

In Barbados he owned Bert’s Bar, Providence private school, a pharmaceutical company based in Christ Church, and several race horses.