Claude Bechard continued his work in cabinet for more than two years after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. (JEAN-FRANCOIS DESGAGNES/QMI Agency)

MONTREAL — Claude Bechard, one of the youngest members of the Quebec legislature and a versatile stalwart in Premier Jean Charest’s cabinet, died Tuesday following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 41.

Bechard died at a hospital in Riviere-du-Loup, northeast of Quebec City, only a few hours after he resigned as agriculture minister when it became clear that he was too sick to continue. Charest, who was close to his young colleague, addressed reporters in Quebec City even before Bechard passed away.

“He always worked the best he could … to help people,” said Charest, chocking back tears. “He helped people in his region, who he loved deeply, as well as his colleagues.”

Bechard was born on June 29, 1969 in Saint-Philippe-de-Neri, in the Lower St. Lawrence region. A political scientist by profession, he served as a consultant to Quebec Premier Daniel Johnson from 1993 to 1996 before jumping into elected politics in 1997. He was first elected to the legislature in a byelection when he was just 28 years old and spent the next six years in opposition.

Bechard was promoted to cabinet after Charest’s Liberals took office in 2003 and quickly built a reputation as a jack of all trades, holding a number of portfolios including labour, family and economic development. Bechard’s last portfolio was agriculture, fisheries and food. He served as house leader until last month.

Bechard’s last two years in office were wrought with tragedy. His political aide, 36-year-old Nancy Michaud, was kidnapped, raped and murdered in May 2008. Francis Proulx, 29, was later convicted of first-degree murder and was also charged with necrophilia.

Just a few days after Michaud’s body was found, Bechard was hospitalized with digestive problems. Doctors later found and removed cancerous tumours on his pancreas.

Bechard spent the next five months recovering, but continued to soldier on in cabinet. He also worked through a second operation in January.

On Aug. 3, he told QMI Agency that he was no longer as young and seemingly invincible as in years past, and that he had to answer questions about his mortality from his children.

“The question came quite often: Papa, will you die?” he told the newspaper.

“(I answered), ‘of course, we will all die, there are parents who will drown tomorrow, there are others who will be hit by a car.’ “

Bechard leaves behind a wife and four children. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.