Pop singer Jack Jones, famous for his Grammy-winning songs “Lollipops and Roses” and “Wives and Lovers,” has passed away at the age of 86.

Jones died on Wednesday night in a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. According to his manager, Milton B. Suchin, he “passed away peacefully” after a long struggle with leukemia that lasted over two years, while holding hands with his wife Eleonora and their cherished toy poodle, Ivy.

After signing with Capitol Records in 1959, Jones released the album “This Love of Mine,” which he later described as “mediocre.” He later joined Kapp Records, where he achieved two Grammy Awards for his breakout singles “Lollipops and Roses” and “Wives and Lovers,” releasing more than a dozen albums with the label.

One of his most iconic songs is the “Love Boat Theme,” which invited viewers to “Set a course for adventure / Your mind on a new romance” in the romantic-comedy series “The Love Boat” on ABC. This beloved track was also covered by many artists, including Dionne Warwick, Olivia Newton-John, and Charo.

In addition to his singing career, Jones appeared in several films such as “Juke Box Rhythm,” “The Comeback,” “Airplane II: The Sequel,” and “Cruise of the Gods.” He made a cameo as himself in the 2013 movie “American Hustle,” portraying a nightclub singer.

John Allan Jones, known as Jack, was born on January 14, 1938, in Hollywood to singer Allan Jones and Emmy-nominated actress Irene Hervey. His singing career began at age 19 with a brief appearance in his father’s performance at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas before he ventured out on his own, working at a gas station to support his dreams of becoming a professional singer.

Jack Jones was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April 1989. He was widely regarded as the last of the great vocalists from the era of the Great American Songbook, following in the footsteps of legendary figures like Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Tony Bennett.

Over the years, he lived and performed throughout California’s Coachella Valley, including a special show for his 80th birthday. Before the event, he humorously mentioned that, since many of his musical rivals had passed away, his goal was “to be the world’s greatest singer by default.”