It was a day of tributes and tears for those who came to say goodbye to the little man who became a big legend in BC sports.

Some of the top names from Canada's sports, entertainment and political world weighed in on the loss of BC Lions CEO Bob Ackles as they entered the private memorial held in Vancouver Saturday.

Among them: Brian Burke, General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks, and longtime friend.

"In a business where there's lots of cursing and yelling he just made friends with everyone," he said.

"Nice guys do finish first sometimes, and he was a top executive but he did it with class. It's a big loss for the city," said Burke.

Although Ackles never wore the uniform and never even played a game, he was regarded by many as the public face of the BC Lions.

From water boy to president and CEO, Ackles spent almost forty years with the team.

His death July 7 stunned the sports community. Ackles suffered a major heart attack at his home on Bowen Island. He was 69.

Toronto Argonauts CEO Michael Clemons says Ackles was a strong leader.

"We're watching you. We look up to you. Thank you for your leadership, thank you for who you are," he said.

Senator Larry Campbell also shared his condolences.

"I just think for the community and the Lions and the CFL it's just a tremendous loss that I don't think can be filled by one person so there's going to have be a lot of stepping up," Campbell said.

Premier Gordon Campbell says the quality he'll remember most about Ackles was the time he always had for others.

"I know how important (his wife) Kay was to him and what a partnership they were," Campbell said.

"You'll see lot of Bob Ackles in his family in his kids and grandkids in the days ahead I'm sure."

CTV's anchor Bill Good agrees.

"(He was) full of integrity and a just great guy," he said.

"He treated everybody with the utmost respect and now we're seeing the respect people had for him," said Good.

After winning the Grey Cup in 1985, Ackles left the Lions as General Manager and spent 16 years in the NFL and XFL.

When the XFL folded in 2002, Ackles enrolled in art classes at the University of Las Vegas, where he and his wife Kay planned to retire.

But Lions owner David Braley called and convinced Ackles to come home. It was a move that saved the struggling franchise.

"He got bigger in stature since his return," said Braley.

"He redid the job that he did once before and put us back in the community. Back in corporate Canada," he said.

Former BC Lion Norm Fieldgate says Ackles was a legend to players.

"He got things going again because he's that type of person. Everybody likes him and he fits the community so that people will respond to him. - and they've done that alright," said Fieldgate.

Last night in Winnepeg, before the lions faced off against the Winnepeg Blue Bombers, a minute of silence was held to honour Ackles.

On Friday night, there will be a post-game ceremony at BC Place stadium where fans will pay tribute to a homegrown sports legend.

A special 'Bob' logo will be painted at midfield for the game, and the players will also wear the new logo on their helmets for the rest of the season.

And if Bob Ackles' family wasn't already aware how much he was respected and admired, it was solidly affirmed by those who gathered to celebrate his remarkable life today.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen.