The Liberal party lost a key parliamentary strategist over the weekend.

Jerry Yanover passed away suddenly in his Ottawa apartment.

Something of an institution on Parliament Hill, Yanover began his career there over 40 years ago as an aide to then Liberal House leader Donald MacDonald — in Pierre Trudeau's first government.

He quickly developed a reputation as an expert in the often arcane world of parliamentary procedure.

While perhaps not a widely-sought-after asset in the real world, it is talent that is indispensable to governments trying to navigate their way through the House of Commons.

Yanover reportedly tried to leave Ottawa in 1972. But after the Trudeau government was reduced to a minority that year, the brass convinced him to stay a little while longer.

Yanover officially retired in 2004, but fate kept him working.

When then prime ministeer Paul Martin was faced with the first Liberal minority government in more than two decades, Yanover was again convinced to hang around as an adviser.

He held that position — and his reputation as a parliamentary guru &38212; until the day he died.

In a statement today, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff praised Yanover as someone who served his country with dedication.

He also referenced a line MacLean's magazine used to describe Yanover in a 2005 article: "Yanover is to Liberalism what Yoda is to the Jedi Council: the most feared practitioner of an ancient craft. "

— James Fitz-Morris