So here we are, April 11—and under a sky ruled by the impetuous Aries Moon, bursting with fiery energy and brash starts—but life threw us a somber curveball instead. How ironic is it that on a day screaming for new beginnings, we’re saying goodbye to Nathaniel “Nate” Pelletier, a quietly steadfast presence behind the scenes and on screen in Hallmark’s cozy western drama, When Calls the Heart? At 53, Nate was doing the vital work of keeping the wheels turning—literally parking as a recurring taxi driver and navigating the logistics behind the camera. It’s the kind of Hollywood story that reminds you real stars aren’t always the ones in the spotlight but those who lift the whole show with their heart and hustle. He passed suddenly on a day when, astrologically speaking, spontaneity and speed rule—yet there’s a quiet reverence in remembering someone who was always one step ahead in kindness and generosity. Grab a tissue and maybe a seat, because this tribute hits the soul, shaking up that Hallmark town like a true April Aries would… with guts, grit, and a big-hearted smile.
LEARN MOREReading Time: 3 minutes
Very sad news out of Hollywood:
Nathaniel “Nate” Pelletier, an actor and crew member who appeared in numerous episodes of the Hallmark drama When Calls the Heart and also served on the series’ transportation team, died on April 11.
Outlets only just reported the news today.
Pelletier was 53 years old.
“He touched many lives with his generosity and extraordinary work ethic,” the actor’s obituary reads.
“He was always there to lend a helping hand when needed and most times, before it was asked of him. He was charismatic and loved to meet new people, greeting them with his big smile and a warm hearty hand shake.”
According to a death notice published by his loved ones, Pelletier “passed away suddenly” while alone at home in Langley, British Columbia.
No cause of death has been confirmed.
“He was only with us 53 short years but he touched many lives with his generosity and extraordinary work ethic,” the notice continued.
“He was always there to lend a helping hand when needed and most times, before it was asked of him. He was charismatic and loved to meet new people, greeting them with his big smile and a warm hearty hand shake.”
Pelletier was best known for his role on the aforementioned Hallmark Channel’s series, on which he portrayed the recurring role of a taxi driver and worked behind the scenes as an employee of the show’s transport department.
His obituary highlights his career and “work-family” as “his second greatest love,” including his transportation captain Gordon “Gord” Alyward.
“Nathaniel’s greatest love was his daughter Myhrsades (Murray) Jones of whom he was so proud,” the obituary adds.
“He loved to gift her with concert tickets to experience her favourite band or book travel tickets somewhere special. He was very proud of his world traveller. He also loved music and because of that she and many others have a wider range of music we listen to.”
When Calls the Heart premiered way back in 2014 and features Erin Krakow as Elizabeth Thatcher, a young lteacher from a wealthy family who migrates from a large city to teach school in a small coal mining town in the 1920s.
Martin Cummins, who stars in When Calls the Heart as Henry Gowen, paid tribute to Pelletier in a heart-warming Instagram post earlier this month.
This is what it said:
I just came back from a ride on the bike Gord and Nate put together for the girls and I.
I’m taking shade in Mexico under the awning Nate helped me figure out in the woods near the old cabin. 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.
Gord has always felt like a father figure to me, and Nate and I were his boys running around the town, hanging out in the woods and talking s–t.
Life is constantly changing. Things are never the same. The Valley will not be the same without Nathaniel Pelletier. He was a gentle soul and it was my honor to call him friend.