The City of Windsor is paying tribute to late Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he wishes to extend sincere condolences to family, co-workers and friends of Marchionne, who died Wednesday at the age of 66.

“Today, we mourn the loss of someone who left a lasting legacy in our community,” said Dilkens. “I've requested that the flags at all City of Windsor locations be lowered to half-mast in honour of the commitment and dedication shown by Sergio Marchionne to the City of Windsor and our residents. Our community thanks you and we send our deepest condolences to your family.”

The flags have also been lowered at the Windsor Assembly Plant.

One of FCA’s employees John Benotto describes Marchionne, a graduate of the University of Windsor, as an”icon.”

Benotto tells CTV Windsor of all the CEO’s he has worked for in his 35-year career at WAP, Marchionne was and always will be the most influential.

“He saved a lot of jobs, along with the Obama government at that time, and the taxpayers,” remembers Benotto. “They were able to save our jobs, I guess we're thankful for him, for having a job here in Windsor.”

Marchionne, a charismatic and demanding leader of Italian and Canadian citizenship, engineered two long-shot corporate turnarounds to save both Fiat and Chrysler from near-certain failure.

Udo Kiewitz started as general manager of Provincial Chrysler in 2009, one month before the automaker declared bankruptcy. Kiewitz tells CTV Windsor Marchionne had a leadership style that encouraged faith, even in those "dark times.”

“I think I was most surprised in 2011 when he changed almost our entire product lineup which was unheard of at that time, by any manufacturer,” remembers Kiewitz.

Marchionne had shoulder surgery in summer 2018, and the company said last weekend that complications meant he would not be able to return.

Books of condolences will be placed in the lobbies of 350 City Hall Square West and 400 City Hall Square East for members of the community to pay their respects.