On Sunday 16th February, the World’s animation community lost one of its most beloved veterans, Jimmy T Murakami. Jimmy was 80 years old and died after a brief illness.

Best know for directing the feature animation 'When The Wind Blows' (1986), Jimmy also set up Murakami Wolf Studios in Dublin in the early 1990s, where they produced the first animated series of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'.

It’s fair to say that Jimmy was a founding father of Irish Animation.

Jimmy was a gentleman, great company, and a huge influence on Brown Bag Films. He was always very generous with his time, especially in the early days of Brown Bag Films (20 years ago this year).

All of us in Brown Bag Films have many happy anecdotes and memories of Jimmy, and today we celebrate a life well-lived and mourn the passing of a friend who inspired an industry.

A number of years ago we purchased a portrait of Jimmy by another animation-veteran-turned-painter, Aidan Hickey. This painting hangs with pride of place in our studio and I’m sure his legacy will inspire another generation of animation artists.

Our thoughts go to his wife Ethna, daughters Deirdre and Claire, and his four grandchildren.

Siocháin síor duit.

Details of the funeral arrangements can be found here.