Eli Hurvitz , the Former CEO of pharmaceutical giant Teva, died of cancer Monday night at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife Dalia, three children and nine grandchildren. He was hospitalized in serious condition at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer last week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement mourning Hurvitz as "one of the greatest Israeli industrialists." Hurvitz, born in Jerusalem, stepped down from the helm at Teva when he was 70 years old and became the chairman of the company's board. In the 1980s he headed the Manufacturer Association of Israel, and for a while chaired the board of directors at Bank Leumi. In 1976 Hurvitz was appointed CEO of Teva, and in the same year won the industry's award for his achievements in chemistry. In 2001 he received the Israel Prize for lifetime achievements.