REGINA -- World War II veteran and Regina business pioneer Harold Hague has died.

Hague’s wife Jan told CTV News Hague died on Thursday night from cancer.

Hague joined the Royal Regina Rifles in the 1930’s. He was later a member of the Royal Canadian Navy and fought on the shores of Normandy during D-Day on June 6, 1944.

“When you think of Harold Hague, the word that comes to most peoples minds right off the bat, he was a true gentleman and he’s going to be missed” Hague’s friend Cliff Walker said.

Hague was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for more than 60 years and served as President of Branch 001, President of the Saskatchewan Command, and Chairman of the Poppy Campaign.

Hague was also chair of the 1995 Canada Remembers Program in Saskatchewan and a recipient of the Royal Canadian Legion's Meritorious Service medal.

“Always just a really fine, fine man and very willing to help people,” Walker said. “He was more concerned about helping his fellow veterans than he ever was about himself.”

Hague was also instrumental in growing Regina’s downtown business core. As the one time owner of Loggies Shoes, Hague was also the president of what is now known as the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District.

“Harold was the king of downtown Regina, because the retail businesses at the street level, they ran the show, and Harold ran them,” Hague’s friend Ross Keith said.

“We knew Harold had been ill for quite some time, but it doesn’t make it any easier to lose him. Everything that we have downtown, Harold had a hand in. He was one of the first guys to research what business improvement districts were.” Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Executive Director Judith Veresuk said.

Hague lived in the Frontenac apartments with his wife Jan for 34 years before moving into senior independent living.

“He was an institution at the Frontenac, loved by all. He and his wife Jan were just the patriarch and the matriarch here,” Keith said.

Hague is survived by his wife Jan and his two daughters and son. He was 99-years-old.