The man affectionately known as the Mayor of Rutland has died.

Ben Wah Lee died at home, in his sleep, Sunday night. He had been battling cancer.

He was 86.

Lee was a teacher in the Kelowna area for 34 years.

Born in Armstrong.

Lee entered politics in 1973, when he was elected to his first term on Kelowna city council. He served on council nearly 24 years before retiring from office Dec. 2, 1996.