I've experienced the same. A player by the in-game name of Shoto Dragon (Excalibur) also passed some time ago. I didn't know him personally, but since the introduction of Hunts back in the 2.0 timeframe I'd talk to him almost daily while leading hunting parties on the dedicated TS server they had set up, and that expanded into running things like roulettes.

Whether in-game, or in real life, it's always uncomfortable saying the final goodbye to a friend.