BINGHAMTON — Tom Libous, who represented the Southern Tier for more than two-and-a-half decades, has died. He was 63.

Libous represented a large portion of the Southern Tier, including Tioga County, starting in 1989.

He served as the deputy majority leader of the New York State Senate up until his conviction last summer for lying to FBI investigators, who were looking into whether he used his position to arrange a high-paying job for his son.

Libous was battling cancer when he was sentenced in November to six months of house arrest.

“I cherished the time we had together, his friendship and the guidance he gave me as a new Senator,” said Senator Fred Akshar, who won a special election last year for the seat held by Libous. “Tom Libous was a terrific public servant and his work for his constituents left a permanent, positive impact on our community, just as he left an indelible mark on those who knew him on personal level. There’s not much more you could ask of a person.”

Legislative leaders in Albany also spoke kindly of Libous Tuesday.

“They say time has a way of easing pain and loss, but forgive us if we mourn a little longer and a little deeper over the passing of this good man,” said State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan in a statement.