We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Cormier. He was a beloved member of the Heartland cast the last two seasons. On behalf of the Heartland cast and crew, our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time.

Robert Edmund Cormier was an American writer and journalist known for his deeply pessimistic novels, many of which were written for young people. Recurring themes include abuse, insanity, violence, revenge, betrayal and intrigue. In most of his novels, the protagonist doesn’t win.

Cormier’s most popular works include “I Am Cheese”, “After the First Death”, “We All Fall” and “Chocolate Wars”, all of which won awards. The Chocolate Wars have been challenged at several libraries.

Robert Cormier was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, in 1925 in the borough of French Hill, French Canada. He is the second of eight children. His family moved frequently to pay rent, but never left their hometown.

Even though he’s much older and owns a summer house, it’s only 19 miles from Leominster. In some of his books, Cormier’s hometown of Leominster becomes the fictional Monument Town, and the village of French Hill becomes Frenchtown. The nearby town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts became Fort Wake.

Cormier attended St Cecilia Parish School, a private Catholic school. He started writing in first grade and was praised at school for his poetry. He first realized he wanted to be a writer in seventh grade when a nun encouraged him to write a poem. He attended Leominster High School and graduated as class president.

As a freshman at Fitchburg State College, Cormier published his first short story when a college professor, Florence Conlon, unknowingly paid $75 for the One of his stories was sent to Sign, a national Catholic magazine.