To us, Tyler Christopher was an actor of uncommon depth and unmatchable charisma. But to Drew Cheetwood, he was “cuz.” And in the wake of Christopher’s passing on October 31, Cheetwood has come forward to shed some light on the man that he knew and loved.

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“My cousin Tyler was something else. He was so kind and considerate. Generous beyond belief. Crazy funny. Unique, super smart and so talented,” Cheetwood began his Instagram post. “His greatest joy and proudest accomplishment were his children,” Greysun and Boheme, with second wife Brienne Pedigo.

Years may have separated Cheetwood and Christopher, but not much else did. “He was 10 years older than me like my brother Derk, but he was like my second brother. Us three were as thick as thieves and the best of friends. We either lived with each other in California or we would move our families to be near one another. If one moved, we all moved sort of thing.”

For a good few years there, the trio was even co-stars on General Hospital, where Christopher played Nikolas Cassadine and his cousins played Mob muscle Milo and Max. “We acted together, we traveled together. He and I loved Too Short and Common. Ninety-nine percent of the time that was what we played during our workouts,” said Cheetwood. “We worked out with one another, we partied, we laughed to no end and we made each other stronger.

“I remember visiting the General Hospital set before I was on the show,” he continued. “I was walking up to the studio doors and Steve Burton (ex-Jason) and Tyler were just sitting on the stoop, sunning and chatting in between scenes. I remember thinking Ty just looked like a movie star. He was so cool to me. He looked out for me along with my brother Derk, especially when I first moved to L.A. He never stopped.”

So it was understandably hard on them when Cheetwood left the West Coast. “The day we were moving back home to Michigan, he insisted he drive me to the U-Haul store because he knew we needed more boxes and supplies,” Cheetwood recalled. “We get there and he picks everything out, pays for it all and tells me it’s the ‘least I can do, cuz.” He hugged [my wife] Jenna, [daughter] Grace and I goodbye and proceeds to stuff enough cash in my hand to get us through our cross-country drive and then some. Demanded we take it. Told me to ‘get a protein shake on me.’

“That was just his nature,” he went on. “He and Brienne wished us luck and said they’d be praying for us. We all cried that day like crazy. Because we were moving, sure, but on a deeper level, I think we all knew a shift was happening and nothing would ever be the same. I’m grateful to have those moments as sad as they were, though. It shows me what a powerful effect he had on me and so many of us.”

That effect will not be diminished, even by Christopher’s death. “I will honor that effect and his memory going forward,” Cheetwood said. “I will miss him dearly. I pray for his kids and family. May God’s hand be ever present in their lives. I pray you are finally at peace, cousin.”

Scroll through the below photo album to read more of Christopher’s friends, family and castmates’ memories.