Longtime HGTV star Mike Holmes is grieving his late friend and co-star, electrician Frank Cozzolino, sharing sweet stories and new details about Cozzolino’s life and death in a new video. Cozzolino, who began appearing on Holmes’ multiple home renovation shows 25 years ago, died at age 56 on December 4, 2025, per his obituary.
In a social media post on December 9, Holmes not only revealed that Cozzolino died from complications following his second liver transplant, but that he credits the electrician with saving his own life years ago.
“Miss you Frank,” Holmes wrote in the caption of his video, which included a screenshot of his show’s very first casting call flyer. “Frank showed up on my very first Holmes on Homes job 25+ years ago. We told him we didn’t have a lot of money to produce the show. That didn’t matter to him, he genuinely just wanted to help people. Frank has been working with me since then, helping homeowners and helping ME.”
HGTV’s Mike Holmes Says Frank Cozzolino Went ‘Through Hell’ Physically
Cozzolino, a Canadian contractor who ran his own business in Toronto, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance, had appeared on Holmes’ home renovation series since 2003, per IMDb, including dozens of episodes of “Holmes on Holmes” and “Holmes Family Rescue.”
In Holmes’ video, he acknowledged how resilient Cozzolino was, telling fans, “Frank has gone through hell.” As previously reported, Cozzolino underwent a liver transplant in August 2017, which he wrote in an Instagram post felt like a “second chance at life.”
But in Holmes’ new video, he said, “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 on December 4.”
Holmes added, “With great sadness from all my family, my friends, and everyone that he’s helped, he will be sadly missed.”
The popular contractor wrote in another post on December 5 that he was “devastated” by Cozzolino’s death and that “his impact will live on in every home he helped.”
Mike Holmes Says Frank Cozzolino Once Saved His Life
In Holmes’ video, he not only highlighted Cozzolino’s work ethic and desire to help others, but also shared a story of when his friend saved his life.
“One time, we were in Costa Rica or Punta Cana, and that man saved my life,” he said. “I had caught E coli so bad that I was bed in bed four days straight, and I swore I was going to die. I couldn’t stay awake. It was really bad.”
“He didn’t give up,” Holmes said of Cozzolino. “He found a doctor. That doctor didn’t work, and he ended up finding a paramedic from Vancouver, and that paramedic came in, and between Frank and that paramedic, I was able to get home.”
Fans flooded Holmes’ latest post with condolences and memories of Cozzolino on his shows over the years, including one who wrote, “I always remember you going to Frank’s house and helping him with his renovation. It really showed your friendship and Franks love for his family”
Another fan commented, “So sad Mike, even tho I have never personally met him, I feel like I’ve known him forever. Such a loss, thinking about you , his family and everyone close to Frank 😊🙏🏻”
So sorry to hear of the passing of Frank. He was “old school” who loved his work and to help others. To the friends and family of Frank, I send my heart felt condolences. He will be missed.
So Sad..Watched him all the time. DEFINITELY will miss him. Pray he is Resting In Peace. 🙏
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a fine gentleman who truly cared about people.
Frank made the world a better place. Sadly, men like that are too rare these days. My deepest condolances to all that loved him.
He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends; and missed by all of us who loved watching him
on Holmes on Homes. You could see and feel his kindness and sincerity on the show with those he worked with. God bless you Frank.