US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday tweeted that his father Donald Blinken has died. The 60-year-old democrat said that his father was source of love and inspiration. He was 96.

Blinken, who was attending the annual UN General Assembly, tweeted that his father built a wonderful life and gave him one. 

“My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration — my father Donald Blinken. A member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a U.S. Ambassador, president of the Mark Rothko Foundation, chair of the State University of New York dad served his city, state and country,” Antony Blinken’s tweet read. 

Also Read | Riverdale star Ryan Grantham sentenced to life in prison for killing mother Barbara Waite

“Dad inspired me to public service. He lived with decency, dignity and modesty. He loved his wife Vera and his family. He built a wonderful life and gave me a wonderful life. I love you dad,” he added. 

Donald Blinken died peacefully at his home in East Hampton, Long Island, a State Department official said, as per ABC News. 

Also read: Dedaena bar: Georgian establishment which hates Vladimir Putin’s regime

Blinken had cancelled several events he was to attend in the UNGA on Thursday due to his father’s deteriorating medical condition, the official added. 

Donald Blinken was the hairman of the State University of New York system from 1978 to 1990. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary during the Clinton administration, from 1994 to 1997.

Also read: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to visit North Carolina ahead of tight midterm races

He was born in New York and graduated with a degree in Economics from Harvard in 1948. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. 

Donald co-founded the investment banking firm EM Warburg, Pincus & Co in 1966. He was the president of the Mark Rothko Foundation from 1976 to 1989. The 96-year-old also chaired the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York from 1978 to 1990.

He was also awarded the US Department of Defense Award for Distinguished Public Service.