Downie's brother Mike told the Canadian Press that the public reaction over the past couple days has been "unbelievable."
"I was going to say [the public's reaction] helps with the sadness because it's so uplifting," he said. "But it actually makes you a little sadder too because you realize there's a lot of people who are really hurting."
He added, "It also makes you feel like you're part of something. I think that's true for a lot of Canadians. I'm in good company."
Mike revealed that his family would be holding a private memorial today (October 20), but that he hopes to hold a public memorial for his brother soon. It's "something that Gord would like and appreciate, so we'll just have to figure that out."
So far, in addition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tearful address, fans across Canada have already been showing public displays of appreciation for Downie.
The sign outside Toronto City Hall shone red and white on Wednesday (October 18) and was momentarily dimmed at 11 p.m. in Downie's honour.
Toronto Sign shines red & white today and will be dimmed at 11 pm in memory of Canadian icon Gord Downie #TheTragicallyHip pic.twitter.com/MPHIQYlGgW
— City of Toronto (@TorontoComms) October 18, 2017
The Toronto sign is red and white tonight in memory of Gord Downie. pic.twitter.com/4uUZw4Vog6
— John Tory (@JohnTory) October 19, 2017
Yesterday (October 19), the Peace Tower bells on Parliament Hill in Ottawa also memorialized Downie with unlikely rendition of "Bobcaygeon."
The #PeaceTower #Carillon recital from 12-12:15 p.m. today by Jonathan Hebert will end with the song #Bobcaygeon in tribute to #GordDownie. pic.twitter.com/0B6w9PJJg6
— House of Commons (@OurCommons) October 19, 2017
The Peace Tower carillon playing Bobcaygeon in honour of #GordDownie pic.twitter.com/WuLg9CKAyM
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) October 19, 2017
Meanwhile, tributes in the Tragically Hip's hometown of Kingston have been pouring in since news of Downie's death broke. An impromptu memorial gathering took place on Wednesday evening in front of city hall.
Community remembering Gord. pic.twitter.com/UefpNlQRzq
— City of Kingston (@cityofkingston) October 18, 2017
Even the public transit buses in his hometown paid homage.
Well now @KingstonTransit is making me cry pic.twitter.com/rVMb8n7nJJ
— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) October 20, 2017
The message on Kingston transit buses today about our friend @gorddownie pic.twitter.com/HzsaIw6GB6
— Michelle O (@MishMeesh) October 19, 2017
You know a man has left his mark on his city when you see this driving home! #RIPGordDownie #kingstontransit pic.twitter.com/1N6DNidIQu
— HangingArdInPrimary (@hangingardinPry) October 18, 2017
As previously reported, Canadians can tune in to relive some of Downie's most memorable musical moments this weekend. A new Hip documentary called Long Time Running will air earlier than originally planned, broadcasting commercial-free on CTV tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will also be available to live stream on CTV's website, as well as via its app.
A recording of Gord Downie's Secret Path show at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall on October 21 last year, meanwhile, will air on CBC this Sunday (October 22) at 9 p.m. ET/PT — marking the 51st anniversary of Chanie Wenjack's death. It will also be streaming online here.
As previously reported, Downie's 23-song double album, titled Introduce Yerself, is slated for release on October 27 via Arts & Crafts.
Dive into Downie's storied discography by ordering the complete Tragically Hip vinyl collection and the deluxe edition of Downie's 2016 solo album Secret Path via MusicVaultz.
