Richmond NDP district president Colleen Glynn remembers the late NDP party leader Jack Layton for his honesty.
"I was very upset when I heard the news," said Glynn. "He was so honest and approachable."
Layton died in the early hours of Monday morning after announcing he would be taking a temporary leave to fight a second form of cancer last month. At the time, the leader said his first cancer diagnosis - prostate cancer - was no longer a threat, but he would be receiving treatment for a second, undisclosed form.
Layton was undoubtedly one of the most successful leaders for the New Democrats as he led them to Official Opposition status for the first time in May's federal election.
"He appealed to so many people," said Glynn.
A card was passed around for Richmond residents to sign at Wednesday night's Richmond Citizens' Association meeting, according to Glynn. The association will send the card to Layton's widow, and fellow NDP MP, Olivia Chow and their family.
Layton's body was returned to Parliament in a flag-draped coffin Wednesday where it will rest in state for two days.
The state funeral, scheduled for Saturday at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, will be broadcast live on the CBC.
"It's really going to be hard to fill his shoes," said Glynn.
