Ryan Reynolds and others remember the late “Roseanne” writer and producer

There are numerous condolences for longtime television writer and producer Eric Gilliland, who died on September 1st at the age of 62 from complications of cancer.

“He was kind. And gentle. And incredibly funny. And incapable of having a conversation that was cruel or put anyone down. It's a tragedy that he's gone, and a tragedy that more people won't have the chance to know him,” Ryan Reynolds wrote on Instagram.

From there Dead Pool The star recalled that the two became instant friends when they met and their friendship lasted nearly three decades.

“I traveled all over the world with Eric,” Reynolds continued. “He introduced me to vaudeville and Jack Benny and welcomed me into his circle of incredibly talented writers and artists. He was my university.”

Gilliland was a television writer best known for his work Roseanne between 1992 and 1996. He eventually became the series’ executive producer and later a consulting producer for shows such as The wild seventies, The Connors And My boys. He was perhaps better known, however, for his wide-ranging circle of friends from all walks of life who often met at his historic West Village townhouse, particularly for his annual Glogg party at Christmas.

“It was a lot of fun,” says his friend and former cooking show producer Angie Peccini, who celebrated her wedding at Gilliland's house. “He invited a local family who played jug music and everyone sang while the fire blazed. The annual invitation he sent out by email was always eagerly awaited and, of course, it was always very funny and well-written.”

Remembering her friend, she continues: “Eric’s gift was not that he was incredibly smart and funny and warm-hearted and talented, his gift was that he You feel like this.”

“It was just a nice feeling to be around him. I look at his Facebook page with all the tributes pouring in and I realize that Eric was the ultimate mediator. There was enough of him for everyone. But now that he's gone, many of us are wondering what we're going to do without him.”

Longtime friend and Campside Media producer Mark McAdam, who met Gilliland when he was a script assistant on Roseannetells PEOPLE: “Eric was the Pied Piper of friendship. He had an easy way of bringing people from all walks of life together: teachers, chefs, artists, West Village regulars and Hollywood royalty, and he made us all feel equally funny and special.”

McAdam adds: “If you said something that made him laugh, he would give you a dollar bill. And that was the best money you ever made. Because he was brilliant and hilarious.”

Modern Family Co-creator Steve Levitan, who went to middle school with Gilliland, shared an emotional statement on Facebook.

“Eric and I met in 8th grade through our shared love for The Dick Van Dyke Show. And Monty Python, Jack Benny, The Carol Burnett Show, SNL, and bad puns. (Yes, folks, we started a pun club.) Eric was just smart and funny,” he wrote, adding that Gilliland “would have taken perverse pleasure in knowing that he, of all people, was outlived by Dick Van Dyke.”

Actress Martha Plimpton also shared memories of Gilliland on Instagram.

“I can't find the old pictures right now,” she wrote. “I don't really know what to do with myself. It's harder today. The world is a less happy and laughter-filled place without my friend Eric Gilliland.”

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Peccini points out that staff at the hospital where Gilliland spent his final days made comments about how many visitors he had each day and how he left them.

“It was a revolving door until the end,” she says.