PEABODY, Mass. (AP) — Former Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry, a Democrat from Peabody, has died at the age of 68.

A spokeswoman for Berry's family, his former chief of staff Colleen McGlynn, said in a statement that Berry died peacefully on Tuesday after a brief illness.

Berry was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affected his speech and mobility. He was an outspoken advocate for people with disabilities during his lengthy career in the state Senate.