Mumbai: Henning Holck-Larsen, co-founder and chairman-emeritus of Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), passed away here yesterday. He was 96 and was in the Breach Candy hospital for two weeks following an illness.

Holck-Larsen was the co-founder of L&T along with his former schoolmate, Soren Kristian Toubro. L&T is one of the biggest and best-known engineering and construction company in India.

L&T CEO and managing director A M Naik, who was in the US when Holck-Larsen died, flew back to Mumbai to attend the funeral, which took place today.

Says L&T chief financial officer Y M Deosthalee: "The ease with which he used to conduct himself was fantastic. He was an affectionate man, full of smiles, jokes and never gave anyone tense moments."

Holck-Larsen was made chairman-emeritus of the L&T on his retirement. He divided his time between Denmark and India, and maintained a keen interest in the working of L&T. Even till the very end, Holck-Larsen was keenly interested with the affairs of L&T and participated in all crucial board meetings.