VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Bob Ackles, the B.C. Lions' first water boy who went on to become the CFL team's president and chief executive officer, died after having a heart attack today. He was 69.

"It was our league that virtually adopted him when he was just a boy, and it's our league that has looked to him as a man for counsel, inspiration and leadership by example," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said. "As much as the CFL has meant to Bob, he has meant so much more to us."

Ackles also worked in the NFL and XFL.

The return of Ackles to the Lions in 2002, along with his hiring of Wally Buono as coach and general manager, has been credited with revitalizing the CFL in Vancouver.

Ackles, who started out as the team's water boy at age 15 in 1953, became director of football development in 1966. He took over as general manager in 1971.

Ackles also spent time in the NFL as an executive with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins as well as with the now-defunct XFL before returning to the Lions as their president.

He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

"We've lost one of the true greats," Cohon said. "His contribution was so tremendous, and our gratitude is so profound, they exceed even the deep sense of loss we feel today."

Ackles is survived by wife Kay, sons Steve and Scott and four grandchildren.