Apple Builder Steve Jobs Passes Away at 56

Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple’s “i” products – iPhone, iPad, iPod, and yet-to-be-launched iCloud – passed away Wednesday, Oct. 5, after a long battle with cancer.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple, said the company in a statement.

Aware of his continuous illness, in August, Apple’s Board of Directors had announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive officer, and the Board had named Tim Cook, previously Apple’s chief operating officer, as the company’s new CEO. (Read: Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple)

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come,” said Jobs in a letter to the Board while resigning from his post.

In a related development, the company had announced that its iCloud – a set of free cloud services, including iTunes in the Cloud, Photo Stream and Documents in the Cloud – will be available on October 12. (Read: What Apple Plans to Do with iCloud)

But Steve (1955 – 2011) will not be there to celebrate the iCloud release.

If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences on Steve’s death, you can email at: rememberingsteve@apple.com