I think he was always written as a character people shouldn't love. I didn't love him nor did I hate him. I thought Morrison did a lot of great stuff with the character, as did Tomasi in Batman & Robin.
It did tear my guts up a bit when he was about to be murdered and they humanized him with the "mother, call him off, please" bit. I won't lie, his death page made me get teary eyed. A death very well done. It's been stated Morrison had it planned 2 years ago for him to die but I wonder how much he had to change with DC's big FUCK YOU CREATORS New 52.
Damian was probably written with the intention of having him disliked by the general public but I disliked more the idea of Bruce having a son.
The idea of Bruce having an heir is one I've always had a problem with and I expressed similar sentiments towards Terry McGuinnes when it was revealed that he was Bruce's "son" in Batman Beyond. The idea of Bruce having saved & raised so many children as his partners but never having a child of his own adds to the tragedy of his life.
I didn't mind him. I liked his interaction with Dick, and I really liked how he and Tim did not get along. However, I never read much with him and Bruce working together, and I can't say the death upsets me.
The downside to giving Batman an heir is that it spoils the "will they/won't they" ever go back to a classic story that had an ending that was up in the air. It's the downside to sequels and returns to classic tales: Most of the fun is in the wait and anticipation. Now they've done it and it's gone.