Academy award winning animated shot film director Gene Deitch, who is best known for creating shorts of Popeye and Tom & Jerry in the 60s recently passed away at the age of 95. Deitch had suffered from intestinal problems prior to his death and breathed his last on April 16, 2020 at Prague, Czech Republic.

 - Deitch's last post on his Facebook Page

As the news of Gene Deitch's death gradually caught up from the cartoon-community to regular netizens, messages of mourning started popping up on social media and people fondly remembered one of the last legends from the golden age of American animation. 

Pengarah animasi popular, Tom & Jerry, Gene Deitch meninggal dunia.

Perkara tersebut disahkan oleh penerbit siri berkenaan, Petr Himmel yang menyatakan mendiang meninggal dunia secara mengejut. #TomandJerry #Popeyethesailorman #GeneDeitch #artortoiseMY pic.twitter.com/tuSin3n5fY

— Artortoise (@Artortoise_full) April 21, 2020

Thank you for all of your contributions to the art of animation, Mr Deitch. ( August 8th 1924 - April 16th 2020 ) #genedeitch #ripgenedeitch pic.twitter.com/vBe1BopHWu

— leave me alone pls (@tintackcobbler) April 17, 2020

R.I.P. Gene Deitch 💔 #TomandJerry #GeneDeitch pic.twitter.com/LBqLJmyrsY

— Just an alien (@LcpSaloom) April 19, 2020

#GeneDeitch 🙏
Creators doesn't have end, they live through there ART ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8WtvjV3hfT

— Sai RamaKrishnan (@Cinemarasigan19) April 20, 2020

That means he made it more lovely

— Love is painful | Watashi wa Fuku Desu!!! (@fuku_koyee) April 20, 2020

That's all 4 classic directors of Tom & Jerry gone.

— Shadeed (Captain Packer) Kelly (@shadeedkelly) April 20, 2020

Tom & Jerry and Popeye Director, Gene Deitch has passed away at age 95... He has produced such timeless work throughout the years that we'll always remember, rest in peace❤️ pic.twitter.com/Hi25NWwBMY

— Blue Irish Eyes (@irisheyes5228) April 20, 2020

What a cool guy. I want to listen to his musings forever.

— Donald Huddleston (@Donnythedingo) April 19, 2020