Joe Paterno, former Penn State football coach, dies at 85

Joe Paterno pictured earlier this month, the day before he was taken to hospital. His family announced Sunday that he had died of cancer at age 85

Legendary former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died early Sunday at the age of 85, his family confirmed.

Paterno, who led the Nittany Lions for 46 years before being controversially ousted two months ago, was described as being in serious condition late Saturday at a State College, Pa., hospital.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today," his family confirmed in a statement Sunday. "His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled."

Paterno was admitted Jan. 13 due to minor complications linked to his ongoing bout with lung cancer, before his condition worsened gravely Saturday.

"He died as he lived," his family said. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."

The Penn State icon, who ran up 409 victories while in charge of the football program, was diagnosed with the disease in November, a week after he was fired by Penn State's Board of Trustees amid the child sex abuse case involving his former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Close friends and longtime staff members reportedly rushed to his bedside Saturday as news of his dire health spread, while hundreds of students gathered outside Beaver Stadium on Saturday night for a vigil in front of his bronze statue.

His children paid tribute to his achievements during a remarkable life and said that his final months underlined the bond he shared with his devoted wife, Sue Paterno.

"He has been many things in his life -- a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach, friend and father," the statement added. "To my mother, he was and is her soul mate, and the last several weeks have shown the strength of their love. To his children and grandchildren, he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire."

His family said Paterno was driven throughout his coaching career by his father's instruction.

"When he decided to forego a career in law and make coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: Make an impact," the statement said. "As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country."

The family concluded, "And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his 'living legacy' of five kids, 17 grandchildren and hundreds of young men whose lives he changed in more ways than can begin to be counted."

They requested mourners and well-wishers make donations to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or a forthcoming dance marathon held at Penn State in lieu of flowers or gifts.