Thor Hansen, the ‘Godfather of Norwegian Poker’, passed away Tuesday night after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 71 years old.

In 2012, Hansen was told by doctors that his colorectal cancer had spread to his lungs and he was given just months to live. Despite the diagnosis, Hansen sought medical treatment and continued to play poker. His final cash came in March when he finished 98th in the €800 Norwegian Open in Dublin, Ireland.

He won two World Series of Poker bracelets over the course of his career. The first came in 1988 when he beat out 78 other players to win a $5,000 Seven Card Stud event. He picked up his second in 2002 when he won the $1,500 No Limit Deuce to Seven event. His career live earnings were $2,949,644.

He was also a successful and respected online player. In 2012 he won a PokerStars World Championship of Online Poker title, taking down the $320 Seven Card Stud event. Six months later he added a Spring Championship of Online Poker title to his resume, winning the $2,100 Seven Card Stud event. His success on the virtual felt caught the attention of the PocketFives community in 2010.

Hansen was named a Poker Hall of Fame finalist in 2012, 2013 and 2017.

Born in Oslo, Norway in June 1947, Hansen was also a talented billiards and chess player. During his poker career he was a regular in some of the games run by Larry Flynt in California where he lived.

He is survived by his wife, Marcella Braswell.