MONTREAL, Qc. - Former Canadiens great Jean Beliveau was given a public funeral mass Wednesday at Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal.
Beliveau arrived at the cathedral before hundreds of fans assembled outside in a driving snow- and ice storm. Two large television screens outside the basilica broadcast the proceedings to those on the street.
Elise and Helene Beliveau, his wife and daughter, entered the church alongside Canadiens alumni, current players, and staff.
His casket was draped in a red, white, and blue Canadiens flag with the team's emblem embroidered into the middle, and carried into the procession by six pallbearers, all former Habs; Guy Lafleur, Serge Savard, Yvan Cournoyer, Jean-Guy Talbot, Phil Goyette, and Bobby Rousseau.
The mass was presided over by Christian Lepine, Archbishop of Montreal, and four eulogies were delivered, by former teammates and friends of Beliveau.
"This time of remembrance also has become a time of presence," the Archbishop said. "Jean's family is present, and we are present for his family."
"We present Jean, husband, father, friend, to God that he may welcome him to his kingdom, a kingdom of eternal love."
Dickie Moore skated left-wing for the Canadiens from 1952-1964, winning six Cups with Beliveau.
"I was lucky to have been with Jean for many glorious years with the Canadiens," he said, "lucky to share amazing moments together, lucky to have him as a friend."
He added, "Would you rather be good or lucky? I was lucky. He was good."
Yves Cournoyer matched Beliveau's 10 Cup-winning mark as the Habs' right-winger from 1964-1979, bidding farewell to his friend, "Oh captain, my captain. Bon voyage."
Serge Savard watched Beliveau skate on television as a 6-year-old boy before joining his hero on the ice in a Canadiens sweater from 1967-1981. He won 8 Stanley Cups, his first three alongside "Le Gros Bill," adding five more during the remainder of the 1970s.
"He treated everyone with respect," said Ken Dryden, who won the 1971 Stanley Cup with Beliveau in the latter's final year as a player. "He said the right things and in the right way, in French and in English, because that's what he believed and that's what he was."
"This is not a time to say goodbye," Dryden said. "This is a time to say 'thank you'. Merci."
"For six decades, he carried the torch for us, now we must carry it for him," Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said to the congregation.
Selections from the Bible were read following the eulogies and benediction:
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
Beliveau was renowned for his charitable work, adding to his reputation as a gentleman as well as sportsman, establishing the foundation that would bear his name in 1971. Its charity would be transferred to the Society for Disabled Children in 1993.
Following Holy Communion, he was led from the cathedral as the Hallelujah Chorus was sung.
Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Quebec premier Phillipe Couillard, Montreal mayor Denis Coderre, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman all attended.
"We lost a great citizen," Prime Minister Harper said, "somebody who was admired and respected by everybody in the country. I have admired Mr. Beliveau since I was a little boy. He was already a part of the Hockey Hall of Fame and now he's become part of the history of our country."
"Just being in his presence was special," Bettman said on arrival. "He is revered. He was the epitome of elegance and class. He believed so much not just in the game but in the community. He will be sorely missed."
Beliveau is a 10-time Stanley Cup champion as the Canadiens center, and led the beloved program to seven more Cups as an executive. The 17 Cups that adorn his name are the most of any man in the history of the game.
Montreal defeated Vancouver 3-1 at the Bell Centre Tuesday night after a fifteen minute tribute to their star center and shone a spotlight on the seat he occupied for so many years as a team executive, draped over with his number 4. His wife Elise sat in the next seat and wept during the honor.
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