COEUR d'ALENE — Finding friends was as easy as building "Huddyburgers" for Todd Hudson.

Hudson, a fourth-generation owner of the iconic and cozy 110-year-old Hudson's Hamburgers on Sherman Avenue with his older brother, Steve, died of cancer at Hospice of North Idaho on Thursday. He was 53.

"He had charisma that was unbelievable," Steve said. "Most people are lucky to have one or five really good friends. He had hundreds of really good friends, and that's not exaggerating.

"He left us way too early."

Tessa Weston, a longtime Hudson's employee and family friend, said Todd had a special way of connecting with people with his outgoing personality.

"He touched lives in the most amazing way," she said. "He'll be greatly missed because he was greatly loved."

Weston said working for the Hudsons kept her grounded because it's a humble place with humble people. She said after Todd would crack a joke or make a snarky comment, he'd follow up with a sincere inquiry about people's families.

"He always remembered everybody," Weston said.

Gus Hernandez, a longtime friend of Todd's, said "Huddy" put family and friends above all else.

"He not only never wanted any fanfare, he went to subtle extraordinary efforts to ensure that he remained in the shadows while making sure everyone around him felt like a VIP and was completely taken care of," Hernandez said. "I am not only blessed to have known him, but honored to have been welcomed into his special inner circle."

Mark Parisot, another longtime friend of Todd's, said his buddy will be greatly missed.

"The hole he leaves in the lives of his family and friends and the fabric of Coeur d'Alene is irreplaceable," Parisot said. "There is much love out there for this man."

Greg Delavan, whose family has been friends with the Hudson family for generations, said Todd has kept his boat at Delavan Marina. A trade underscored the type of person Todd was. When Delavan's kids were in high school, they (and some of their friends) could get burgers at Hudson's in exchange for Todd's annual boat slip rental.

"After some time had gone by, I talked about settling up," Delavan said. "That’s when I found out that he had been feeding my kids for quite some time without keeping a record. We never did bother to settle up."

Glenn Gatherer, owner of Nate's New York Pizza in Post Falls and a friend of Todd's, said Todd was a joy to be around.

"He was always laughing and giving people a bad time," Gatherer said. "He cared about everybody in the community as the whole Hudson family does. He was a great man."

Steve, a football referee in the Pac-12 Conference, said taking his brother with him to games was special, along with their golf outings.

Steve said Todd did an admirable job of carrying on the Hudsons’ rock-solid tradition of serving up simple burgers with supreme juiciness, keeping customers enlightened and (they all have to do it) washing dishes at the 600-square-foot business with a 17-stool lunch counter.

"He did it all well," Steve said.

Steve said his brother's bout with adenocarcinoma, a cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands throughout the body, was sudden and short.

Steve said he and Todd went on a golfing trip on July 18 and Todd didn't feel well. A few days later, Todd went to the hospital, had liquid drained and felt better.

However, he was taken back to the hospital on July 24 and blood clots were found in his legs the next day.

"He just got weaker and weaker," Steve said, adding that the cancer was incurable. "He went ridiculously fast."

Hudson's has been featured in newspapers and magazines across the country. Todd and Steve's great-grandfather Harley founded the business in 1907. Their grandfather Howard and father Roger were the other owners.

"I always say, 'Our great-grandfather started it, our grandfather improved it, our father improved it more,’” Todd said in an article commemorating the restaurant's 100th year. “Steve’s and my job is not to screw it up.”

Todd is survived by his wife, Joni, daughter Cassie, stepson Dawson and stepdaughter Rashae. Service arrangements were pending on Friday.