B.C. Premier John Horgan mourning the loss of his older brother

As B.C.’s premier prepared for a trade trip to Asia and for the February budget, he was also preparing for a service to honour his brother Pat.

John Horgan’s office announced Thursday morning his older brother Pat had died on Saturday Jan. 6, after a battle with lung cancer.

Horgan spoke fondly and often about Pat – including during his speech as he was being sworn-in as Premier at Government House.

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In recent months Horgan would often choke up speaking about Pat.

WATCH: (Originally aired July 18, 2017) John Horgan addresses his family – starting at 1:50

8:28 Premier John Horgan delivers message to British Columbians

At 71, Pat was 15 years older than Horgan who said his brother was like a father figure to him.

The family says in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Agency in support of lung cancer research.