Canada lost a political heavyweight with the death of Jack Layton this week.
The leader of the federal New Democratic Party was sometimes controversial, often outspoken and always respected.
Warm memories and thoughts are being exchanged throughout the country, much of them in consideration of the impact that the man had on the fabric of Canadian politics.
He is credited with having brought about the virtual political demise of the Bloc Quebecois in the May federal election - a feat that brought him accolades from all political stripes outside (and inside) Quebec.
Within his party, he will undoubtedly be placed next to Tommy Douglas as one of the great builders of the NDP, as the architect of a stunning record of 103 riding victories, putting more than three times as many NDP MPs in the House of Commons as have ever been there before, establishing the NDP as Official Opposition and relegating the once invulnerable Liberal Party to the distant-third-party status that most political watchers in Canada felt was the NDP's perpetual lot.
At the same time, he brought youth into federal politics in Canada.
Indeed, he changed Canada's political landscape dramatically - and he did it by levelling the divides between people, instead of building mountains to separate them.
Warm words naturally flow from supporters and party colleagues when an important member is lost. Heartfelt words like those of Shane Dyson, local NDP stalwart and president of a local riding association, who noted, "The passing of NDP leader Jack Layton conjures up memories of what was and dreams of what may still lie ahead," carry deep meaning, yet are somehow expected.
But once in a while, a political builder comes along who can unite people of disparate views - and when they die, somehow that uniting force only grows stronger.
Such a man was Jack Layton.
