On Sunday, just a few days after releasing his final album, Blackstar, David Bowie died of cancer at the age of 69.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” according to a statement posted on his Facebook page.

For most, the news was sudden. Not only because the public was blissfully unaware he was nearing death, but Bowie was one of those brilliant, untouchable, heck, even magical figures who isn’t supposed to die.

Reddit user akanyan writes:

“I never really assumed he would live forever, but I really never assumed he’d die so young. I understand 69 isn’t exactly a spring chicken but I wasn’t nearly ready for this. I remember thinking he looked pretty well in the Blackstar video. I was really excited because he still managed to be weird after all these years. He was one of the driving forces pushing music to be stranger and yet he always managed to stay ahead of the curve. I was hoping he would go on tour after the new release because I never had the opportunity to see him live. He’s one of my favorite artists of all time. This really sucks.”

While most will remember Bowie for his music, others reflect on his humility.

Reddit user charliegv shares:

“I’ve heard my dad talk about David Bowie most of my life. “When my dad was younger he was a cabbie in London, he once picked up David and got talking to him. After that trip he offered my dad a temp job as his chauffeur until his american one came back (about 6 months down the line). My dad said that David was the nicest guy, he would entrust my dad with loads of personal secrets and talk to him like he was a mate… ‘There is one story that always sticks out for me, one night David gave my dad a call and said he wanted to go for a drive, so my dad picked him up and david directed him to a warehouse, he asked my dad to come in with him. My dad walked in with him only to find out the warehouse was empty, David asked my dad to get to the other end and the played frisbee for about 2 hours in this massive warehouse. “My dad was genuinely upset this morning after hearing the news. David was a class guy, and I have nothing the the upmost respect for him. RIP.”

Born and bred in Brixton, London, Bowie spent much of his life in New York City, a city that shaped his music. And at the same time, New York shaped Bowie—he was a part of New York. He even once referred to New York City as a place which he “had fantasied over since my teens.”

In 1992, he moved to a SoHo apartment on Lafayette Street with his wife, supermodel Iman. It was outside of his final New York residence where hundreds of people gathered in the frigid air, laying flowers, candles, and personal letters to pay tribute. Upvoted was there.

Still, it didn’t feel like you were at a memorial. The atmosphere was somewhat somber, somewhat haunting—but mostly exuberant, much like Bowie’s persona. His music was blasting from speakers, reminding you of the devilish, lively performer behind Aladdin Sane and Ziggy Stardust.

And while some fans were happy to be among likeminded people who could celebrate the memories Bowie left behind, together. Others were fighting to hold back tears.

This quote from Reddit usermasterhaldentwo sums up the attitude of the crowd, and, perhaps, all our thoughts best:

“It’s a sad realisation that I’ve reached the age where I’ll experience people who have inspired me dying quite frequently from this point forward.”