New Found Glory guitarist and co-founder Chad Gilbert has died after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 45.

Gilbert died on Sunday, Sept. 20, his bandmates and wife, Lisa Cimorelli, announced on social media.

“On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished. We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.

“Chad’s guitar playing, songwriting, humor, and relentless drive helped shape New Found Glory for nearly three decades. Through more than a dozen albums, endless tours around the world, and more accolades than we ever could have imagined, Chad challenged all of us to grow as musicians, performers, and human beings. While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had. His influence will always be part of New Found Glory and his spirit will be felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play.”

Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever – Lisa, Jordan, Ian, Cyrus, and Dan”

Gilbert was best known as the lead guitarist of New Found Glory, a Florida rock band that became one of the biggest names in the pop-punk scene of the late 1990s and 2000s. Pop-punk mixes the loud guitars and fast energy of punk rock with catchy melodies and sing-along choruses commonly found in pop music.

Formed in 1997, New Found Glory became known for upbeat, energetic songs about relationships, heartbreak and growing up. The band found mainstream success with songs including “My Friends Over You,” “Hit or Miss” and “All Downhill from Here.” Their sound helped define the pop-punk era alongside bands such as Blink-182, Green Day and Sum 41.

Gilbert had been undergoing cancer treatment since 2021. His health struggles became more serious after the cancer spread to his brain, requiring emergency surgery.

According to PEOPLE, Gilbert had been receiving treatment for a rare form of adrenal cancer since 2021. He was initially diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma and underwent several treatments as the cancer affected other parts of his body.

Before February, Gilbert said his condition had been stable with the help of immunotherapy and other treatments for tumors in his spine, lungs and stomach.

His health took a serious turn in February when he collapsed at home and needed emergency brain surgery. After the operation, Gilbert told PEOPLE that his diagnosis had changed to a more serious form of adrenal cancer called adrenocortical carcinoma, or ACC.

Despite his health struggles, Gilbert was able to return to the stage. On June 8, he made an emotional appearance during New Found Glory’s concert in his hometown of Nashville. Performing from a motorized scooter, he played guitar on two of the band’s best-known songs, “Hit or Miss” and “My Friends Over You.”.

In April, Gilbert reflected on his life, family and long music career. He told PEOPLE that having his family and being able to spend his life creating music had been a dream come true.

He also said New Found Glory always wanted to make music that ordinary people could connect with and find inspiration in. Gilbert said his cancer journey had given him another way to inspire people facing difficult times in their own lives.

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, their daughter, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.