Joshua Jackson mourns former co-star James Van Der Beek

broke his silence about his former Dawson's Creek co-star , who tragically passed away, at age 48, on February 11 following a two-year battle with stage III colorectal .

'I think it hits in a variety of different ways,' the Canadian 47-year-old told TODAY on Tuesday.

'For me as a father now, I think the enormity of that tragedy for his family hits me in a very different way than just as a colleague. So I think the processing is ongoing.'

Jackson welcomed his soon-to-be six-year-old daughter Juno during his five-year marriage to Tron: Ares actress , which ended last year.

'He became what we used to just call a good man,' the Actor Award nominee said.

'A man of the kind of belief, the kind of faith that allowed him to face the impossible with grace, an unbelievable partner and husband, just a real man who showed up for his family and a beautiful, kind, curious, interested, dedicated father.'

Van Der Beek is survived by his widow Kimberly Brook and six children - Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, Gwendolyn, seven, and Jeremiah, four.

A GoFundMe created by family friends has amassed $2,760,069 from a $1.5 million goal through 51,000 donations - which will 'help cover essential living expenses, pay medical bills and support the children's education.' 

Jackson and the Varsity Blues alum famously portrayed Capeside High School best friends Pacey Witter and Dawson Leery on The WB teen soap for six seasons spanning 1998-2003.

'He and I shared this very amazing time... and it was formational for us,' the Doctor Odyssey producer-star said.

'I know both of us look back on that time with great fondness, but I will also say that I know that I'm really just a footnote in what he actually accomplished in his life.'