Michael Heisley, former owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, passed away on Saturday at the age of 77.

Heisley died due to complications from a massive stroke he suffered nearly 15 months ago.

“He was a unique guy to say the least,” said Stan Meadows, who was Heisley’s closest confidant and also served as lead counsel for the Grizzlies. “We all benefited greatly from knowing him.”

Heisley moved the Grizzlies to Memphis from Vancouver, B.C. in 2001. He paid $160 million for the team in 2000 and then sold the franchise to California technology mogul Robert Pera in the fall of 2012.

Pera’s group, which includes a number of local investors, purchased the Grizzlies for $377 million.