He was married to Jennifer Paes, a former Indian women’s basketball team captain and fellow Olympian, and was the father of Leander Paes, India’s most decorated tennis player.
Leander carried forward the family’s Olympic legacy by winning the men’s singles bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games to end India’s 44-year-long wait for an individual medal at the Summer Games.
Leander, who has often credited his father for nurturing the sporting culture in him, also bagged 18 Grand Slam doubles titles over his career.
Dr Vece Paes, who had been battling advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease, was admitted to Woodlands Hospital earlier this week. His last rites are expected to be held early next week, with the family awaiting the arrival of his daughters from abroad.