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Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney died on Wednesday at a hospital in Newport Beach, California. He was 79 years old.

According to a Walt Disney Co. spokesman, Roy suffered from stomach cancer for a year.

Roy’s father was co-founder of the Disney Entertainment business along in 1923. He was the last member of the family to ever work at Disney.

When he was a boy, Roy used to play in his uncle’s studio. Animators often used him as a test audience when they did films like “Pinocchio”. When he grew up, he helped the company produce award-winning projects such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.”

Roy had a 56-year career with Disney. In 2003, he stepped down as vice chairman of Disney’s board and chairman of the Disney Studio’s Animation Department. He remained as director emeritus and consultant in recent years.

Roy E. Disney will be given a private funeral service and cremation, and his ashes will be scattered at sea.

(via CNN)