Mark Mandala, the popular former president of the ABC Television Network, has died at age 72.

An avid golfer, Mandala passed away while playing golf on Saturday in Dorset, Vermont.

He had retired from ABC in 1994, after serving 32 years at the network. He had been appointed President of the Network in 1986, where his responsibilities included Sales, Affiliate Relations, Affiliate Marketing Services, Sales Development, Network Operations, Program Administration and Public Relations.

Mandala had been promoted after a three-year stint as President of the ABC-owned TV stations division. Before that he had worked in various sales and management slots for ABC in some of its biggest markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.

Mandala was born in the LA suburb of Downey, Calif. He attended USC and attained a liberal arts degree.

He had homes in Dorset, Vermont and La Quinta, California.

Mandala is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joan Neely Mandala, and three sons, Steve, Charlie and Michael. Steve is a top TV executive at NBC Universal. He is also survived by his sister, Cecelia Woodward, and six grandchildren.

A reception for family and friends will be hosted on Tuesday, July 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dorset Field club in Dorset, Vermont, according to a statement released by ABC. An additional memorial will be planned in the future on the West Coast for family and friends there.

—Chuck Ross