Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of death and drug abuse.

Matthew Perry’s family remembers his final moments amid the one-year anniversary of his death. Speaking to PEOPLE, the late Friends star’s father, Keith Morrison, revealed that he had been close to his son over the years.

“There were many times when the doctor would come to us and say, ‘He won’t survive the night, he won’t survive the week,’ or ‘He’s close to death, prepare for that.'” , remembers Morrison.

He recalled that over the years, Perry’s family had to prepare several times for the possibility of his death. “And it was only the heroic efforts of the doctors that kept him alive on several occasions,” he recalls.

Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The reason for his death was previously thought to be accidental drowning, but after further investigation and analysis of the autopsy report, it was concluded that he died due to the “acute effects of ketamine,” a hallucinogenic drug.

The actor’s father-in-law revealed that his final wish “should be remembered for helping other people, more than his Friends fame”, referring to the hit sitcom he was a part of memorable and who received several accolades for his portrayal of the sarcastic but lovable Chandler Bing.

Morrison, who is married to Matthew’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, had noticed a change in the actor’s behavior days before his death. Morrison said her son seemed “at peace” and contacted his family with the intention of reconnecting.

“He wasn’t the type of person who would call and say, ‘God, I love you. I miss you.’ But he did that all the time,” Morrison recalled. He further explains that it could have been a premonition or an acceptance of the inevitable that caused this revelation in Perry.

In another interview with Today, the late actor’s mother, Caitlin Morrison, echoed Keith’s emotions that Perry had become surprisingly affectionate just weeks before his death. She remembers Perry showing her his new homes and telling her he loved it.

“It was almost like it was a premonition of something,” she told the outlet. If only she had known that this was the last deep conversation she would have with Perry. Meanwhile, Keith added that receiving a call about the death of a loved one from an overdose is heartbreaking.

“It tears you apart,” he said. “Matthew’s mother will never be the same. And every day, every minute, he’s on her mind. He’s on my mind. He’s on all our minds,” Keith added.