List of Famous people who died in 2019

Futoshi Nishiya was a Japanese animator, director and character designer.

Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio was a Spanish writer. In 2004 he was awarded the Premio Cervantes for his literary oeuvre.

Gene Rodman Wolfe was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith. He was a prolific short story writer and novelist and won many science fiction and fantasy literary awards.

Carley Ann McCord was an American sports reporter.

Machiko Kyō was a Japanese actress who was active primarily in the 1950s.

Joan Staley was an American actress and model.

Rudolf Gutendorf was a German football manager, renowned for managing the highest number of national teams – a total of 18 teams plus Iran's Olympic team in 1988 and the China Olympic team in 1992.

Basant Kumar Birla was an Indian businessman of the Birla family. He was chairman of the Krishnarpan Charity Trust, BK Birla Institute of Engineering & Technology (BKBIET) and various educational trusts and institutes.

Mike Möllensiep was a German footballer.

James Michael Gregory was a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and executive. Born in Port Colborne, Ontario and raised in Dunnville, Ontario, Gregory attended St. Michael's College School in Toronto where he became involved with the school's ice hockey teams, first as a trainer, eventually moving to management and coaching positions. He went on to coach and manage the Toronto Marlboros, winning two championships. He then moved to the National Hockey League's (NHL) Toronto Maple Leafs, serving as their general manager. He led the team to eight playoff appearances during his ten-year tenure. He then moved to the NHL head offices, becoming the director of central scouting, and later took a directorship position in the hockey operations department, which he held until his death.