Canadian magazine writer David Lees died Tuesday in Toronto at the age of 63 following a battle with cancer.

Since 1977, Lees has won eight medals, two gold and six silver and been nominated 10 times at the National Magazine Awards for stories in magazines including Toronto Life, Cottage Life and Canadian Geographic, according to a close friend. Some of his more recent features were “Eels on Wheels” for The Walrus and “A Fish in the City” in On Nature.

Lees is survived by his wife and sons. Memorial visitation is Tuesday, August 31 from 1-2 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Visitation Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Bld., Toronto. In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto, 5 Shoram Drive, Downsview, Ontario M3N 1S4.