PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies announced late Tuesday afternoon that a private memorial service for Tug McGraw will be held on Saturday, January 10, per his request.

Slideshow: Tug McGraw: A Career In Pictures
Special Report: A Look At Tug's All-Star Career

The team didn't say where the service will be held, or if the team planned on holding its own public memorial for the former All-Star pitcher.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to the Tug McGraw Foundation, 191 Sheree Boulevard, Suite 200, Exton, PA 19341. Proceeds will benefit brain cancer research.

McGraw, 59, died Monday with his family at his bedside near Nashville at the home of his son, singer Tim McGraw.

A Philadelphia Phillies representative, Leigh Tobin, said McGraw died while visiting his son in Tennessee.

NBC 10 learned that Tug was given his last rites a week ago and died Monday with his family at his bedside near Nashville.

McGraw was diagnosed with brain cancer last March while attending Phillies' spring training camp.

NBC 10 News was told McGraw took a turn for the worse Sunday and was in a coma. Tobin told NBC 10 News that it was not clear why McGraw's health suddenly deteriorated, but he apparently fell into a coma and he died sometime Monday afternoon. Funeral plans are not yet clear.

"The Tugger" was one of the most beloved Phillies of all time. In 1980, his final strikeout clinched the Philadelphia Phillies' one and only World Series title.

McGraw's playful personality often overshadowed his talent. He was an outstanding big-game pitcher, helping both the Mets and Phillies win World Series titles during his 19-year career.

McGraw participated in the closing ceremonies for Veterans Stadium, which will be demolished next month. During the program, he re-enacted his final pitch of the 1980 World Series, striking out Kansas City's Willie Wilson for the title.

McGraw's illness came as a shock last spring. He was at Phillies' training camp in Clearwater, Fla., as a special instructor, looking fine and acting as funny as ever, but was suddenly hospitalized on March 12.

We lost a part of Mets history tonight," Mets owner Fred Wilpon said. "Tug was a battler on and off the field. I know he fought the disease with every ounce of energy he had. We'll all miss him dearly."

A left-hander who threw a screwball, McGraw was a bit of screwball himself -- a fan favorite in New York, Philadelphia and throughout the majors.

Once asked whether he preferred to play on a grass field or an artificial surface, he said, "I don't know. I never smoked any AstroTurf."

McGraw was known for charging off the mound, slapping his right hand on his thigh and tapping his chest after a close call.

"Patting his hand on his heart after a guy hits a home run foul, who would do that in the heat of the battle?" said Phillies manager Larry Bowa, who played with McGraw on the 1980 championship team. "But it showed he had no fear. He was loose. That's how he played the game."

McGraw's playful personality often overshadowed his talent. He was an outstanding big-game pitcher, helping not only the Phillies but the Mets win World Series titles during his 19-year career.

In 26 postseason games, he had a 2.23 ERA and was 3-3 with eight saves.