“Thunderbirds are go!” became a catchphrase to generations thanks to Gerry Anderson, puppetry pioneer and British creator of the UK sci-fi hit “Thunderbirds” tleevision show.

Anderson passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at a nursing home near Oxfordshire, England, after being diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago.

Anderson introduced the use of “supermarionation” _ a puppetry technique using thin wires to control marionettes.

He forever changed the direction of sci-fi entertainment,”son  Jamie Anderson told the Associated Press. “Lots of animation and films that have been made in the past 20 or 30 years have been inspired by the work that he did.”

He said the TV show was perhaps his father’s proudest achievement _ along with the cross-generational appeal of his body of work, which also included TV shows “Stingray” and “Space: 1999,” among others.

“He was very much a perfectionist and was never happy with any of the end products although he may have been happy with the responses,” Jamie said, describing how his father would involve himself in every aspect of production. “He wasn’t just someone who sat in a chair barking orders, he managed to bring together great teams of great people and between them with a like mindset produced some real gems.”

In recent years, Anderson and his son had become active supporters of Britain’s Alzheimer’s Society.  He was determined, despite his own recent diagnosis, to spend the last year of his life speaking out for others living with dementia to ensure their voices were heard and their lives improved

Rest in Peace Gerry Anderson

“Thunderbirds are go!” FOREVER!