Hugh Tweedie served on the Cape Breton University's board during the 1990s. (Courtesy of Warren Gordon)

A past chairperson of Cape Breton University's Board of Governors and a well-known Sydney business man has died.

Hugh Tweedie, died suddenly in Florida on Saturday.

Tweedie served on the University's board in the 1990s around the same time as Jacquelyn Scott, past Cape Breton University president.

Scott said Tweedie was a force for good in the community.

“He did a tremendous amount to build Sydney up both through his business investments, through his lobbying activities and general cheerleading for the community,” she said.

“He was always on-side when there was something that needed to be done, for example when he was raising money for the [YMCA] to be renovated and you could always count on Hugh to be part of anything that was going to help the community.”

Scott said Tweedie will be greatly missed. Funeral arrangements for Tweedie have yet to be announced.