Gordie Howe laid to rest at funeral service

DETROIT (WJBK) - Family, friends and some very familiar faces, gather to say their final farewells to Gordie Howe.

It was filled with tears, laughter and so many memories.

"It was just amazing, for me to be able to watch him play when I was a kid," said Guy Lafleur. "And to play against him when he played for the Whalers."

Lafleur, hall of famer with the Montreal Canadiens, remembering the best of Gordie Howe and he wasn't alone. His life was celebrated Wednesday in a memorial mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.

You can watch a replay of Mr. Hockey's funeral here

"Mr. Hockey left the world with no regrets," said his son Dr. Mark Howe at the funeral. "Although he did not lead the league in church attendance, his life has been the epitome of a faithful servant."

"I'm very thankful that dad was able to hold on so long in the end," said Mark Howe, another of his sons. "I really wanted to be with him, I was rubbing his forehead when he went. It was important to me."

CLICK HERE for a photo gallery remembering Gordie Howe.

Of course, there were NHL notables in attendance and it was open to the public. those in attendance were left answering this question.

FOX 2: "What did you learn from Gordie Howe?"

"I want to show you one of his quotes," said fan Jim Renny. "its right here: 'Good manners cost nothing.'"

"The one thing, it doesn't matter if you're a player, or you came in contact with him," said retired Red Wing Darren McCarty.  "He made you feel like you knew him for years and years."

"It's been overwhelming, it's been outstanding, the whole ceremony inside the church was first class," said retired Red Wing Kris Draper. "Everything you expect from Mr. Hockey."

Like his wife Colleen, Howe's remains will be cremated and spread across Bear Lake in northern Michigan.