COVID-19 has claimed the life of an a personality near and dear to Detroit’s electronic music community. Mike Huckaby is dead at the age of 54, according to Connect Bookings. His cause of death is said to have been complications related to a stroke as well as the virus.

Following a post to Connect Bookings’ Facebook page, Pitchfork confirmed Huckaby’s passing with his agent, Daniel Liakhovitski. “Mike Huckaby was an incredible talent and a beautiful soul,” Liakhovitski wrote to Pitchfork. “A giant of a man, deeply loved by all who knew him. Mike’s life was all about music. Please listen to his tracks and his DJ mixes. His music speaks louder than words.”

Huckaby’s brand of deep house made him a sought-after DJ and producer in early ’90s Detroit. He first performed at Berlin nightclub Tresor in 1997 and contributed to the two cities’ strong musical kinship. A longtime manager at Detroit store Record Time, his legacy as both a diligent student and teacher of music is tempered by his gentleness and humility.

“All I can say is he was a truly humble ambassador for the music he loved,” Record Time founder Mike Himes said to Resident Advisor. “Such a class act and he had a huge impact on many not just in Detroit but everywhere. He will be greatly missed.”