Indeed, a sad time for all. The man meant everything to all finding their identity in the world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy (and beyond). He was a staple of British (nay, Global, theatre and a waypoint for damn near all finding their places in the world. Indeed, for myself, Hellboy (the movie) was a needed respite from the real world, a world John Hurt (along with many other memorable roles, of course) brought to life before our very eyes.
A great actor, with a bottomless repertoire, and an endless devotion to the human plight of this world: one of over-achieving potential and the ever-important desire of the balance between the natural world and human desire. Indeed, his work taught us all of a trust between the natural world and its 'protectors', the anthropocentric human race.