The Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Foods have announced with great sadness the death of its Chairman, Wallace McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 after a lengthy struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Purdy Crawford, lead director of the Maple Leaf Foods Board of Directors, said: "Wallace made an indelible impact on Maple Leaf Foods, our country and the food industry globally. He had a rare gift for business that was driven by his personal courage, love of people and sharp insights. His incredible accomplishments came about because of his perseverance, humility and belief in others. Wallace's efforts to support his community, and those less fortunate, were tireless. He was an extraordinary man, with a huge heart, and we will miss him profoundly."

Chairman of Maple Leaf Foods, and co-founder and vice chairman of McCain Foods, Mr McCain was a pioneer of the Canadian food industry. With his brother Harrison, Wallace McCain co-founded McCain Foods in 1956 and built it into a multi-billion dollar global French fry and frozen foods company. In 1995, the McCain family, together with a financial partner, acquired a controlling interest in Maple Leaf Foods and transformed it into Canada's largest bakery and prepared meats company. Maple Leaf Foods has 21,000 employees at operations across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and in Asia.

Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods said: "Wallace McCain was an inspiration, as a father, businessman and humanitarian. His incredible success in business was always balanced with the importance of family and community. He had unwavering values that defined him and everything he did. My family and the entire Maple Leaf community deeply mourn his passing, but also celebrate his life and the contribution he made to so many people."

Wallace McCain is survived by his wife Margaret, his four children and nine grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family. For further information, click here.

His successor as Chairman will be determined by the Maple Leaf Foods Board of Directors.

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food processing company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 21,000 people at its operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The Company had sales of $5.0 billion in 2010.

For more information on Mr McCain's life and achievements, click here.