Longtime curling journalist and promoter Doug Maxwell has died of cancer. He was 80.

The World Curling Federation said Maxwell died at his home in Markdale, Ont., on Saturday.

"The World Curling Federation regrets the passing of a major contributor to global curling," federation president Les Harrison said in a statement Tuesday.

Maxwell was a curling journalist, broadcaster, event manager and promoter. He started his journalism career with CBC-TV and published his fourth curling book, Tales of a Curling Hack, in 2006.

He also owned and published The Curling News for 20 years.

From 1968 to 1985, Maxwell served as executive director of the Air Canada Silver Broom, the men's world curling championship.

"Doug's work with the Silver Broom took the world curling championship to a new level and had a large impact on the development of the sport of curling in new markets," said Harrison. "His innovative thinking, which led to various developments such as the time clock and the 'skins' curling format, will continue to benefit our sport for years to come."

Maxwell is survived by wife Anne, sons Ward, Gordon and James and daughter Janet.