STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Nearly 24 hours after the rumors of his death were found to be false, Joe Paterno lost his two-month battle with lung cancer.

The Paterno family released a statement shortly after 10 a.m. that the legendary Penn State coach had died.

Paterno, 85, coached at Penn State for 61 years before being fired with three games remaining in the season due to allegations surrounding former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and his alleged sexual abuse of 10 boys.

Paterno announced his retirement Nov. 9, but the Penn State board of trustees dismissed him the following day.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today,” the statement said.. “His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled. He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been.

“His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.”

Paterno died at Mount Nittany Hospital Medical Center in State College. He had been undergoing treatment there.