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the man credited with turning the city of albuquerque into a magnet for the balloonig community... has died. sid cutter passed away this morning at the age of 77. cristina rodda spoke with many of cutter's loved one's today she has more from the international balloon museum, cristina? the international balloon museum, the international attention, new mexico'sallooning legends, balloon fiesta-- none of it would have been possible without minute thumbnail 06:01 pm sid cutter. i think it's great have the fame come to albuquerque maybe they'll find out new mexico is really in the union through out the rest of the united states. sid cutter didn't just put albuquerque on the u.s. map-- he put it on global stage. it all began with a birthday party for sid's mom in 1971-- scene here in a photo ... sid friends say sid told everyone he'd fly the balloon used as a centerpiece the next morning... but didn't really expect to do it. we spoke to cutter in 2008. m16:53 - my brother knocks on the door at 6 in the morning, and i said "what are you doing," i was still in my bathrobe -- he says come on we're going to fly. i said we can't fly - we don't have any gas. he said oh yeah..i stopped by the truck stop and filled it up. cutter's old friend and balloon fiesta co-founder tom rutherford says sid's passing was expected-- he's had a long battle with cancer. i know he died happy seeing his minute thumbnail 06:02 pm friends having his family with him. has left such a legacy. a final farewell party was held for sid a few weeks ago-- hundreds of his old friends came to say good-bye. sid cutter however will not be forgotten. he not only took albuquerque to the world but he brought the world here to albuquerque. balloon fiesta officials tell us sid cutter passed away in his sleep this morning. a public memorial for cutter is expected soon. cutter's family of course owns cutter avaition in albuquerque. live fron the international ballon museum cristina rodda kob eyewitness news four we caught up with albuquerque mayor richard berry who talked about cutter's passing. "as a patriarch to the albuquerque balloon fiesta, sid cutter really put albuquerque on the map for a lot of people around the country and around the world so this community is eternally greatful for sid and all he's done for our community." minute thumbnail 06:03 pm balloon fiesta organizers also sent us a statement saying "the balloon fiesta as an organization, its family and friends mourn the loss of its founder and a great human being sid cutter. sid died in his sleep early this morning but his memory will live in our hearts for as long as balloons float above the rio grande." we are continuing to gather reaction tonight on the passing of sid cutter. we'll have more for you coming up at 6:30 and tonight at 10. "and" you can always leave comments on our website at kob- dot com.