Michael Deaver, former Reagan adviser dies

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Michael Deaver, a close adviser to President Ronald Reagan, has died, Deaver's family told CNN on Saturday.

The 69-year-old had been struggling with pancreatic cancer and died at
his home on Saturday in Bethesda, Md.

"Over the past several months, he battled pancreatic cancer with the courage, grace and good spirit that he carried throughout his life. We are so proud of him. In the end, he stood as the model of a man who not only loved life, but lived life right, one day at a time," his family said in a statement released by the Edelman public relations firm.

Deaver was a vice chairman of Edelman International.

Edelman issued its own statement, calling Deaver "a giant in our field."

"He will be remembered for countless contributions to the art of communications, and for his years of service to our country in the stead of his longtime friend and boss, President Ronald Reagan, whom he started working with shortly after Reagan was elected California governor in 1966."

The White House released a statement from the president on Deaver's passing, with National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe saying Deaver "was a key advisor to President Reagan and a close and loyal friend to both the president and Mrs. Reagan."

"Michael Deaver knew the importance in our democracy of communicating with the American people, and he will be missed," Johndroe said.