Jean Beliveau's Funeral: Saying goodbye to a great man.

Jean Beliveau's Funeral: Saying goodbye to a great man.

It was an emotional day today as the great Jean Beliveau found his final resting place. Hundreds of people braved a snowstorm in downtown Montreal to pay their respects. The funeral was held at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, with many former Cana

HockeyFeed

HockeyFeed

It was an emotional day today as the great Jean Beliveau found his final resting place. Hundreds of people braved a snowstorm in downtown Montreal to pay their respects. The funeral was held at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, with many former Canadiens players and friends of the Beliveau family in attendance. Four Habs legends gave eulogies about "Le Gros Bill". Dickie Moore said, "I was lucky — lucky to have been with Jean for many glorious years with the Canadiens. Lucky to share many amazing moments together, lucky to have him as a friend. What would you rather be: good or lucky? I was lucky, he was good," Moore said as the crowd laughed. "We have all been lucky to have Jean Béliveau in our lives. God bless you Jean, our teammate and friend forever." Habs goaltending great Ken Dryden spoke about being Beliveau's roommate: "He got the double bed, I got the single," Dryden said, adding that he no longer saw Béliveau as a great star but as a captain and a leader. "No place was too small or remote, because no fan or no person was unimportant.… He treated everyone with such respect. He said the right thing, in the right way — in French and in English — because that’s what he believed and that’s what he was. He made every occasion better. Unlike many other great stars, his presence didn’t diminish others — it made others better." The eulogy given by Yvan Cournoyer left the funeral mass in tears: "Given our age difference, we developed a relationship almost like father-son," Cournoyer said. "We feel a big empty space in our hearts. You will never be forgotten. Oh captain, my captain, bon voyage." Among notables in attendance were NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The casket was draped in a Montreal Canadiens flag, just as Beliveau would have wanted it. Rest in peace Mr. Beliveau, there will never be another like you. (Photos courtesy of The Canadian Press)  

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