A Toronto man was found dead on a Nova Scotia beach after leaving his family home for an early-morning walk on Christmas Eve.

James Dale Greer, 35, was a Toronto resident, but originally from the Cape Breton area. Greer had been visiting family for the holidays when he left the house for a walk along Mira Gut Beach.

When Greer failed to return, his parents called police, who combed the beach with the help of a police dog. Greer's body was located near a breakwater, a structure built along the coast to reduce the intensity of waves and weather.

Police have not said how Greer died, but they told CTV Atlantic they've ruled out foul play. They have not said whether the area's strong currents may have played a role in his death.

His family members said they believe he slipped on the rocks during his walk.

Greer's uncle, Kirk MacNeil, wrote in a Facebook post that Greer often went out for walks on the beach.

"He was doing what he loved to do so much. Walk the beach in Mira, enjoy the solitude, the moon on the water, the crash of the waves," MacNeil wrote.

"My heart is totally broken."

Another uncle wrote that he and Greer had busy schedules, and said that he wished he'd made more time for his nephew.

"I thought I had time. But our time ran out," Sandy MacDonald-Kavanagh wrote.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore