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George A. Romero, regarded by many as the “father” of the modern zombie film, has died aged 77.

Romero passed away on July 16 “listening to the score of The Quiet Man, one of his all-time favourite films, with his wife, Suzanne Desrocher Romero, and daughter, Tina Romero, at his side. He died peacefully in his sleep following a brief but aggressive battle with lung cancer and leaves behind a loving family, many friends and a filmmaking legacy that has endured, and will continue to endure, the test of time,” according to a statement by his manager.

After studying art and design at Carnegie Mellon, Romero started a commercial production company. Night of the Living Dead appeared in 1968 and was a rarity for the time for featuring an African-American in the lead. His movies in the early 1970s weren’t box office successes, and he returned to the zombie genre in 1978. His other movies include the 1983 Creepshow, for which he teamed up with Stephen King, and The Dark Half, based on a King novel.

Generous tributes have been paid on twitter: “We laughed through 50 years and 9 films. I will miss him. There is a light that has gone out and can’t be replaced,” effects maestro Tom Savini wrote, while Stephen King said, “Sad to hear my favorite collaborator–and good old friend–George Romero has died. George, there will never be another like you.”