Celine Dion's brother Daniel dies just days after her husband, at age 59

Daniel Dion, brother to singer Celine Dion, passed away today at the age of 59.

Daniel had been battling cancer throat, tongue, and brain cancer for years, his sister Claudette told Le Journal de Montreal, succumbing to the illness at 5 a.m. this morning, in a palliative face facility in Montreal, surrounded by his family.

“What made him happiest was to make music,” Claudette told Le Journal. “He was keen to stress his sister.”

Daniel was the eighth of 14 Dion siblings, of which Celine is the youngest. He is succeeded by his wife, two daughters, and two grand children.

The news come just days after Dion’s husband, René Angélil, died of cancer in their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 73.