A former Newfoundland MP is among the many Canadians paying tribute to astronaut Marc Garneau.

The first Canadian in space, and a long-time MP and former cabinet minister passed away this week at the age of 76.

Born in Quebec City, Garneau served in the Canadian Navy before being chosen in 1983 as part of the first Canadian astronaut group under the National Research Council.

He was candid about his own personal tragedy in a book he released last year.

He became the first Canadian in space in 1984 and flew on three Space Shuttle missions. He served as the president of the Canadian Space Agency before entering federal politics.

Judy Foote calls Garneau “an incredible individual.”

Foote and Garneau were both elected to Parliament in 2008, and were seatmates in the House of Commons.

She says there was no one more committed or devoted to “doing what was expected of him, above and beyond.” She says while famous for being an astronaut, it wasn’t something he bragged about, although he would discuss it if asked.