Pelletier, who was an actor and transport department employee on the network’s When Calls the Heart, passed away unexpectedly on April 11 while living alone at home in Langley, British Columbia, according to his obituary. It is unknown what caused his death.

According to the obituary, “His generosity and extraordinary work ethic touched many lives.” He was always willing to help out when needed, and most of the time, before anyone asked him to. He was gregarious, enjoyed meeting new people, and greeted them with a big smile and a firm handshake.

The following people survive Pelletier: his mother, Yvonne Langevin; his stepbrothers, Gordon and Brian Langevin; his stepsister, Teri Van-Ryssel; his godmother, Lee DeGoede; his nephew, Andrei; his brothers, Jeramie and Jason; his daughter, Myhrsades Jones; and his father, Perry Phillips.

Erin Krakow plays Elizabeth Thatcher, a young educator from a wealthy family who moves from the big city to teach in a small coal mining town in the 1920s, in the 2014 film When Calls the Heart. Pelletier, who frequently portrayed a cab driver on the show, described his “work-family” as his “second greatest love” in his obituary.

Martin Cummins, Pelletier’s costar who plays Henry Gowen in the popular series, honored Pelletier on Instagram earlier this month with a heartfelt post.

“I just got back from riding the bike that Gord and Nate assembled for me and the girls. In the woods close to the old cabin, I’m enjoying some shade in Mexico under the awning Nate helped me figure out. Alongside a number of images of his close friend, he captioned the post, saying, “I have spent more hours at work sitting in the blue room, in silence or in conversation with Gord and Nate than I have standing on tape with the camera rolling.” “I’ve always thought of Gord as a father figure, and Nate and I were his boys, running around town, hanging out in the woods, and having shit conversations.” Life is ever-changing. Nothing is ever the same. Without Nathaniel Pelletier, the Valley won’t be the same. It was a privilege for me to call him a friend because he was a kind person.

The cast and crew were also in mourning for Pelletier, according to the official When Calls the Heart Instagram page. Production manager Mike Magnusson described the actor as a “true Unicorn” who smashed “every 14 hour day with a wide smile & endless cheer for all.”

Nate “‘saw’ people, and was always there with a kind word,” he continued. We will never be able to fill the spirit he leaves behind. We cherished you, Nate; you were unique. My friend, you will be greatly missed.