Jack's battle with cancer did hit a nerve since it reminded me of my father's final battle with liver cancer four years ago. When I saw Jack in his last press conference (we always call him "Jack", never "Mr. Layton"), he looked so much like my father a few weeks before his passing, it scared the crap out of me.

Regrettably, Jack lost his battle with cancer just like my dad lost his. But surprisingly, both have demonstrated extraordinary courage during their final days. It's truly fascinating.

Once again, goodbye Jack, and thanks for a really exciting federal election. You made us feel as if all of our votes truly counted.

I flipped on CBC this morning and was very sad to hear about this. I wanted to see him back in his game in September.

I didn't vote for him, however I was touched by his personality, perseverance and tolerance of other people.

RIP Jack. You will be missed and there will never be another you.

I found his letter to be very uplifting and inspiring. RIP Jack.

I tried reading his letter over the phone to my wife and found I couldn't get through it.

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Jack really showed the country how it's done, bringing the party to it's current strength.

I'll echo the sentiments expressed here today. Rest in Peace Mr. Layton. Thank you for your service.

That Youtube video is very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Jack was a true populist politician, never a class warrior.
An irreplaceable loss to the Canadian political scene.
Why is cancer so greedy?
RIP Jack

Jack Layton was beyond any doubt one for the book of Great Canadians.

In some oddball way his earnest optimism and commitment to decent political discourse reminded me of another Leader of the Opposition whom I likewise occasionally disagreed with: Preston Manning. Both of them are/were exemplars of what we would hope our politicians could always be - decent, forthright, above board, and committed beyond their own personal drives.

Terrible loss for our country. As previous posters have mentioned, his passion and optimism were very inspirational. So nice to see politicians like Jack devoid of the elitist mannerisms that so many others have. I think he identified with so many as he came across as the "guy next door". Approachable, caring, and passionate about what he believed. One of the things he can take credit for is galvanizing a young electorate to care about politics again. Thanks and RIP Jack.

I wish I knew who said this yesterday in an interview but it was something to the effect of "...if he could have kept going he would have given politics a good name!" :D

Yesterday, a sudden huge gush of wind emanated from North of the city here in Ottawa coming from the downtown core and Parliament Hill. Many say it was a collective sigh of relief from The Conservatives and Stephen Harper upon hearing the news they won't have to face Jack Layton as the Opposition Leader after all.

R.I.P. Smilin' Jack.

Being as they are both musicians to a certain degree as well as politicians, Harper says he'll always regret the jam session that never was. Still, I imagine there was some since of relief as well, being as Jack was a fighter and could have easily made the next 4 years quite interesting for the Conservatives.

Also, I'd like to say I'm impressed that Harper offered a state funeral, which is usually only reserved for former Prime Ministers and Governor Generals.

Stampeder, that might be the shortest and sweetest eulogy possible for a politician. Thanks for repeating it.

Jack was indeed a rare commodity, something that comes along only once or twice in a lifetime: a politician that no sane person could think of a bad thing to say about. Pretty sure the only other Canadian politician that similarly qualified during my lifetime was Lester Pearson. :D

Never once did I vote NDP... nevertheless: thanks Jack.

Jack proved that you could still do politics the "right way". You might not find many MPs who were more liked outside of the House of Commons by other MPs of all of the ones who were elected in April. For someone who was never mayor, or Premier or Prime Minister, he changed Canadian society (for the better) in ways some people who have held those offices didn't. The House of Commons will feel empty without his personality this fall.

He did something that I don't think anyone (except himself maybe) really thought he could do a year ago, overthrew one of Canada's two dominant parties to become the official opposition.

RIP Jack.

Also, I'd like to say I'm impressed that Harper offered a state funeral, which is usually only reserved for former Prime Ministers and Governor Generals.
I'd like to echo this. Very classy move by the Prime Minister. I'm not entirely sure that Jack would ask for it, but he is very deserving. 30 years in public service.

BTW I saw someone said he was 51, he was actually 61. Still too young to die.

I won't be at home on Saturday so I've got the PVR to record on Global.

I believe the funeral will be telecast on CTV, CBC and Global starting at 2 PM Eastern.

It's weird how I am still sad that he's passed on.

Here's the lighter side of Jack:

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Coverage details of the funeral this Saturday

CBC from 1-3:30
CTV from 1-3
Global from 1-3

CBC will pre-empt the World Athletics Championships, which was supposed to air from 1-2pm ET. Canadian Women's Open golf was supposed to air from 2-6. It will be joined in progress once the funeral finishes. Coverage will still begin on RDS at 2pm ET though.

He was a decent man and did not deserve his fate. His contribution to the NDP was huge and he put them in position for their large gains. Some people like to say that it was just a backlash, or a fluke, but when voters are ready for a change you have to have done the ground work and building to be ready to benefit from it. Layton was responsible for that.

It may be forgotten, but when Layton was first chosen leader, many in the NDP leadership were not behind him and he had to win over a lot of factions.

Not a fan of an official state funeral. A significant tribute could have been accorded without setting a new precedent. Though, it isn't normal for a relatively young man to pass away while in office. I hope that the funeral respects the man, and isn't a quasi-political rally.