Joe Clark, the legendary principal who inspired the 1989 hit movie Lean On Me, has passed away.

According to the family statement, the retired New Jersey principal died on Tuesday in his Gainesville, Florida home after a long battle with illness. He was 82.

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Born in Rochelle, Georgia in 1938, Clark is most known as the ambitious principal of Eastside High School who expelled nearly 300 students for drug possession, vandalism and fighting, and challenged the remaining students to strive for better.

In 1989, Clark retired from Eastside and Morgan Freeman memorialized the notable education figure as he starred in John G. Avildsen’s Lean On Me written by Michael Schiffer. Freeman went on to win an NAACP Image Award for his performance as the ambitious and inspirational New Jersey principal.

Clark is predeceased by his wife, Gloria and survived by his children Joetta, Hazel and JJ. He is also survived by grandchildren, Talitha, Jorell and Hazel.

Sending condolences to the family. Rest in peace, Joe Clark.