HGTV Star Frank Cozzolino Dies At 56 Following ‘Sudden’ Health Complications

HGTV star Frank Cozzolino has died at the age of 56.

Cozzolino was known for his appearances onHolmes on Homesalongside host and friend Mike Holmes, and later on some of the series’ spin-off shows likeHolmes Family Rescue. The Toronto-born electrician, who died on Thursday, Dec. 4, is survived by his partner Lisa and his daughters Filomena and Alexandria, his obituary states.

Holmes shared the tragic news of Cozzolino’s passing in an emotional tribute on

alongside two photos of him smiling next to his friend.

“I am devastated by the passing of my good friend Frank Cozzolino,” he wrote in the caption. “Frank made us better. His impact will live on in every home he helped. Frank could walk into the toughest electrical disaster, crack a joke in his style, and suddenly the whole room felt lighter. That’s just who he was.”

Holmes adds that Cozzolino “really cared” about every homeowner he helped, and concluded the caption by saying, “Frank will forever be part of the Holmes family. Miss you buddy.”

In an

shared on Tuesday, Dec. 9, Holmes revealed his friend experienced health issues over the last few years, with a “sudden” complication resulting in his passing.

“Frank has gone through hell,” Holmes says in the clip. “I mean he’s had a liver six years ago, that liver failed, he had to go in and get another liver. It was touch and go, we thought for sure that he wasn’t going to make it, and he came back. And all of a sudden due to complications, he has passed away Dec. 4.”

He adds, “With great sadness from all my family, my friends and everyone that he’s helped. He will be sadly missed.

The general contractor also recalled his first time meeting Cozzolino on the set ofHolmes on Homeswhich first premiered in 2003 in Canada.

“Approximately 25 years ago, on the very first day of filmingHolmes on Homes— it was a brand new show — at the end of the day, in walked an electrician. His name was Frank Cozzolino,” Holmes began the tale.

He remembers Cozzolino coming in to meet him because “he wanted so much to help the homeowners we were about to help.” Holmes adds, “I said to him, ‘We don’t have the money. Can you help me help these people?’ He said, ‘Yes.’”

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Cozzolino previously shared photos with Holmes on his Instagram account, most recently on set ofHolmes Family Rescuein a May 2024

. The HGTV franchise’s latest installment,

stars Holmes’ children Sherry and Mike Jr., who both shared their own tributes to Cozzolino on their social media accounts.

Per his obituary, Cozzolino founded his own company Solutions Electrical, which was “very successful” and a “testament to his hard work and perseverance.”

PEOPLE has reached out to HGTV for comment but did not receive an immediate response.