New York ( CNN ) -- Dennis deLeon , former New York City human rights commissioner and long-time AIDS activist , has died , according to the organization he helped launch . He was 61 . The Latino Commission on AIDS issued a news release Monday , saying that deLeon was a `` pioneer '' and a `` visionary , '' as well as a `` tireless advocate for social justice and one of the first openly HIV-positive Latino leaders in the country . '' New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised deLeon on Monday , saying in a statement that the activist `` demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service . '' After being appointed as the director of the mayor 's Commission on Latino Concerns in 1986 , deLeon went on to serve in other civic roles , including being selected by then-Mayor David Dinkins in 1990 to head the New York City Commission on Human Rights . In 1994 , he returned to the private sector and helped found the Latino Commission on AIDS , where he served as its president for 15 years . According to its Web site , `` The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community . '' `` It will be a challenge to pick up the mantle Dennis has left for us at the Commission . Dennis was a friend , a mentor and an example of what a national leader should be . ... His work and his dedication to our community will not be forgotten , '' said Guillermo Chacon , current Latino Commission on AIDS president , in the release .
Dennis deLeon was a human rights commissioner , long-time AIDS activist . He died in the early 90s of Aids and his wife is now an advocate for gay rights. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praises deLeon .