Apple mourns death of director Jerry York

Apple board member Jerry York passed away at the age of 71

Apple has announced that board member Jerry York has died at age 71.

According to media reports, York suffered a brain aneurysm on Thursday and was taken to a hospital close to his home near Pontiac, Michigan.

York had been a member of Apple's board for 13 years, helping guide the company out of financial troubles and overseeing Apple's rise in the consumer electronics space.

"Jerry joined Apple’s board in 1997 when most doubted the company’s future. He has been a pillar of financial and business expertise and insight on our board for more than a dozen years,” said Apple co-founder and chief executive Steve Jobs.

“It’s been a privilege to know and work with Jerry, and I’m going to miss him a lot.”

York was renowned for his ability to turn around ailing corporations. Prior to joining Apple's board, he helped IBM execute its corporate makeover as chief financial officer in the early 1990s.

York was also said to have played a key role in the makeover of US automobile manufacturer Chrysler, serving as chief financial officer under Lee Iacocca in the 1980s.

At the time of his death, York had been serving as chief executive of investment firm Harwinton Capital along with his position on Apple's board of directors.