People across New York City and throughout the nation are mourning the death and remembering the work of Massachusetts Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, who passed away late Tuesday night after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Kennedy's family says he died at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts at age 77.

The Kennedy family says the senator's body will lie in repose Thursday and Friday in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

A funeral will be held at a nearby church where President Barack Obama is expected to deliver the eulogy. Kennedy will then be buried Saturday in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Ted Kennedy, who was known as the Lion of the Senate, is considered by many to be one of the most influential senators in history. His signature issues included health care, civil rights and education.

The late senator sponsored more than 300 bills that were enacted into law.

"I pledge that I shall dedicate all of my strength and will to serving you in the United States Senate," said Kennedy when first elected to the Senate in 1962.

Kennedy was part of American political royalty, the brother of former President John F. Kennedy, whose Senate seat he was elected to fill, and New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while campaigning for the Democratic nomination for president in 1968.

Former New York Senator Alfonse D'Amato, who worked alongside Kennedy in the Senate for nearly 20 years, told NY1 it was Kennedy's broad mix of views that made him stand out.

"I think his legacy will be a person of deep passion and conviction and who wasn't afraid to stand up for his principle," said D'Amato. "And yet the other side, a person who can reach across the aisle, whether it was Al D'Amato or Senator [Orrin] Hatch, very conservative, and get things done in the health area and other areas. So he was a consensus builder, and we need that more today than in any time in our nation's history."

Yet Ted Kennedy's life was not without controversy.

In 1969, he drove his car off a bridge while vacationing on Chappaquiddick Island off Martha's Vineyard. He got out, but his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, died.

Kennedy did not immediately report the incident and was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident.

"I regard as indefensible the fact that I did not report the accident to the police immediately," he said.

Despite the turmoil, Kennedy rebounded and made his own run for the White House in 1980, challenging incumbent Jimmy Carter. His bid failed, but he delivered a well-received speech before the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hopes still lives, and the dream shall never die," he said.

Kennedy remained in the Senate for the next three decades.

After suffering a seizure last May, doctors diagnosed Kennedy with a malignant brain tumor. But it didn't stop him from speaking at the Democratic National Convention, exactly one year ago, in support of current President Obama.

Kennedy suffered another seizure on Inauguration Day and had been away from the Senate for much of the year.

Obama, whose endorsement from Kennedy helped boost his presidential campaign, says he was heartbroken to learn of the senator's death.

He has issued a proclamation in honor of Kennedy that orders U.S. flags at the Capitol building, the White House and all federal buildings across the country to be lowered to half-staff in Kennedy's memory through Sunday.

Obama says he valued Kennedy's counsel and his confidence in him, adding "An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."

The president said countless Americans are better off for his service.

"His ideas, and ideals, are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives," said Obama, "in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know educations promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal, and more just."

The president said he was grateful that Kennedy's loved ones had an opportunity to say thank you, and good bye.

The Clintons also reflect on the passing of the longtime senator, who worked alongside the former First Family while in the White House.

Former President Bill Clinton said he is grateful for the progress in health care that was made with Kennedy in the Senate, and said in a statement: "As President, I was thankful for his fierce advocacy for universal health care and his leadership in providing health coverage to millions of children. His tireless efforts have brought us to the threshold of real health care reform."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose White House run was dealt a blow by Kennedy's endorsement of Obama, called Kennedy a "cherished friend" and said she will remember him as a politician who inspired generations of young people to enter the public service.

Presidents were not the only politicians reacting to the senator's death. Lawmakers from across the city and country are remembering his legacy.

Senator Charles Schumer said he will remember Kennedy as a fair man who was always ready to step in at the drop of a hat.

"His compassion was real; there was no artifice to it. And he was like a father to so many people in the Senate," said Schumer. "When you were out of line, he'd call you in and say, 'You know, you're out of line.' But when you needed help, he was the first person to be there, no matter how busy he was. So we'll miss him."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it "was a great honor" to be there for the signing of Kennedy's Serve America Act, which "will ensure that his legacy of service will live on in the good works of millions of Americans for years to come."

"There will never be another first family of American politics like the Kennedys, and there will never be another United States Senator like Ted Kennedy," the mayor said in a statement. "Inspired by the noblest of ideals – a life of service in pursuit of justice, equality, and peace – Senator Kennedy’s compassion and charisma were matched only by his extraordinary legislative accomplishments over five decades."

In a radio interview with WWRL Wednesday morning, Governor David Paterson praised the longtime senator's public service, saying: "He's a person that went through a number of tragedies, he's the only male child of the Kennedys who died of natural causes, all kinds of tragedies in that family. And somehow he probably may have accomplished more than any of them because of his longevity of service and his commitment to issues."

Bob Shrum, a longtime friend and Kennedy's speechwriter, told NY1 that Kennedy was a kind and generous person.

"I think he accomplished more to change America than many presidents have: the quality for women and for gays, the first legislation to fight AIDS," said Shrum. "It's an absolutely amazing record, he's the greatest of senators, and to me he's a great friend. It was a great privilege to work for him."

New Yorkers say that despite Kennedy's personal tragedies, he was always a stalwart supporter of the underdog and left an indelible mark on American culture as a result.

"What I will remember about him is that he was at the forefront of all the battles," said one New Yorker outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown. "For the people who were less fortunate, the people who were excluded from society, he was one of the advocates for them."

"He's always been a fearless leader for those who have less rights and less opportunities than many others and he's had great courage and really been a voice for the poor and those who are less than wealthy," said another.

"I think he was an icon. I think he has a long legacy of important legislative programs that he enacted," said a third. "I think that his charisma and his personality will certainly outlive him as a human being on this earth."

Under Massachusetts state law, Kennedy's successor will need to be chosen by a special election. The time frame outlined by the law would put the vote between January and February of next year.

Just last week, Kennedy urged state officials to give Governor Deval Patrick the power to name an interim replacement.

But Massachusetts lawmakers have not indicated they would support the change.

There is an extensive list of candidates interested in running for the seat – including his nephew, former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II.

Edward Kennedy is survived by his wife Victoria, three children, his sister Jean Kennedy Smith and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.