Sean Sasser, who appeared on “The Real World: San Francisco” when he was dating AIDS activist Pedro Zamora, has died at the age of 44.

Sasser, who was HIV positive, died of mesothelioma, a lung cancer that affected him particularly badly because of his weakened immune system. He was an AIDS activist and a pastry chef, but those who knew him remember him as much more.

“My heart breaks. Another beacon of light in our community is darkened tonight with the passing of AIDS activist Sean Sasser,” said GLAAD activist Wilson Cruz, who played a bisexual teen on the ’90s drama “My So-Called Life”. “I’ll never forget your kindness, your smile, the joy you brought into every room you stepped into. In your name we fight on. Rest now, my friend.”

Sasser had a commitment ceremony with Zamora which was captured on film for the MTV reality show, but sadly, Zamora passed away from complications relating to HIV later that year. The couple made history as one of the first to ever complete a commitment ceremony on television.

Sasser later married Michael Kaplan; “Real World” cast member Judd Winick tweeted his condolences to Kaplan and the rest of Sasser’s family.

Our friend Sean Sasser has died. Our love goes out to his family & husband Michael. We will miss u so much. pic.twitter.com/2WsaChdcAQ

— Judd Winick. (@JuddWinick) August 8, 2013