I admit this came as a major shock to me. He took time off work just a month ago to tackle whatever cancer was discovered, and a month later, it got the better of him :-/ RIP, Jack.
I'm sure gonna miss voting for him... Met him once, really interesting guy... RIP... Honerable Mr Layton.
I'd also recommend this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html He wrote this letter two days before his death.
Not quite the magical tear jerker they made it out to be... but one darned fine letter none the less. I was impressed by the last minute optomisim he projected.