Considered one of the most influential and respected U.S. politicians, Senator Edward Kennedy died on Tuesday night (August 26) from brain cancer at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.  Neighbors and visitors arrived by his home to show their condolences.

After United States Senator Edward Kennedy died, residents of the seaside town of Hyannis Port, Massachusetts reacted to the death of their long-time neighbor and Senator.

[Sam Kuckley, Hyannis Port Resident]:
"It's terrible. It's a big loss for the country, it's a big loss for those of us who grew up watching the Kennedy clan grow into maturity and become national leaders and with the great loss of the brothers—John and Robert—this is like the end of a legacy and end of an era."

Visitors stopped to leave flowers, flags and hand-written notes at the end of the street that leads to the family's six acre compound.

More affectionately known as “Teddy,” the onetime U.S. presidential hopeful died of a malignant brain cancer late on Tuesday at the age of 77.

[Kathy Ryan, Hyannis Port Resident]:
"He's accomplished quite a lot in his career. It's a sad day but we need to celebrate all the things he's accomplished. He's a good man and a wonderful resident of this community."

The Kennedy family often gathered at the compound to weather tragedies that dotted the decades—including the death of President Kennedy’s son John Kennedy Jr. in a plane crash 10 years ago.

John and Robert and Edward Kennedy’s father Joseph bought the Cape Cod property in 1929 when it was just a beach cottage built in 1904.

Over the years it grew into an 11-bedroom building surrounded by long porches, a swimming pool and a tennis court.

John Kennedy and another assassinated brother, Senator Robert Kennedy, bought homes nearby, expanding the property.