Jack Layton Tributes

It does not seem like four years, but, it was in August of 2011 that I blogged about the untimely death of Jack Layton. 
I remember folks lining up to pay their last respects as he lay in state at City Hall; and who can forget the chalk tributes that were scattered in every available space around Nathan Phillips Square.

                                     (Above photo courtesy of the Walrus Magazine)
Since then a number of further tributes have taken place around Toronto.
Two years after his death, a life-size bronze statue was unveiled at the ferry docks on Queen's Quay.

 

A number of City Councillors, Jack's widow, MP Olivia Chow, Jack's son Mike Layton, as well as Rob Ford, were on hand for the occasion.

 

As you can see, the former federal NDP leader is depicted riding on the back of a tandem bicycle with a great big grin.
Ms. Chow, who helped with the sculpture, commented that a tandem bike was their wedding present to each other in 1988. She noted that she rode on the back of their tandem, this statue has him seated on the rear so that "Jack has your back".

In February of 2013 the road that runs from Broadview Avenue past the old Don Jail was renamed Jack Layton Way. This area is Jack's old federal riding.

Then last July, Andrea Horwath, the provincial NDP leader was on hand to plant a magnolia tree in Tecumseh Park, Chatham.
The ferry terminal was named after Jack, and we now have a new design for it.

                              Finally, this is his tombstone in St. James Cemetery.