A Second World War veteran who landed on Juno Beach in 1944 and survived a violent home invasion last December has died. Ernest Cote was 101 years old.

The Juno Beach Centre announced Cote’s death on its website Thursday afternoon. Cote had a heart attack on Wednesday evening and died surrounded by his family, CTV News has confirmed.

Cote was a lieutenant-colonel with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and was responsible for logistics for the division for the landing at Normandy.

Cote was one of the few Canadians who knew where the D-Day landings were going to take place in the months prior to the invasion, CTV’s Daniele Hamamdjian reported last June, during the ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary.

Cote travelled to France last summer to mark that anniversary.

Minister of Veteran’s Affairs Erin O’Toole paid tribute to Cote during question  period in the House of Commons Thursday.

“I just learned the sad news of the passing of D-Day veteran, 101-year-old Ernest Cote, last night in Ottawa, a proud Vandoo veteran who served in the Normandy campaign and became deputy minister of my department -- veteran's affairs -- after the war,” O’Toole said.

“He was one the 50 recipients of a flag from the prime minister on flag day for his tremendous life of service to Canada. A personal highlight of my public life was seeing Mr. Cote at 101, park his walker and walk on to Juno Beach last year.”

MPs gave Cote a standing ovation.

After serving for five years in Europe, Cote returned to Canada in early 1945, was promoted to colonel and retired from the Armed Forces.

He spent the subsequent 30 years devoted to public service, working in a number of federal ministries including External Affairs. He also represented Canada at the early meetings of the United Nations General Assembly and helped draft the Charter of the World Health Organization, according to his biography on the Juno Beach Centre’s website.

Cote was appointed Ambassador to Finland in 1972. He retired in 1975.

Last December, he was allegedly tied up in his Ottawa-area apartment and robbed by a man claiming to be a city worker.

In an interview with CTV News that aired last January, Cote said he was in good spirits as he recovered from the ordeal. At the time, however, he was more angry than afraid, even when a plastic bag was placed over his head.

“Some people think that (if) you’re 101 years of age you crumble up and wonder, ‘Oh why, what was happening.’” Cote said. “No, I was just mad.”

Cote freed himself and called 911.

Ian Bush, 59, is charged with attempted murder, robbery with violence, and forcible confinement in that case. None of the allegations has been proven in court.