Also today, a final farewell to Congressman Bill Pascrell.

The 87 year old Democrat died last week after being hospitalized for an illness.

He served his hometown of Paterson as mayor and his state as both an assemblyman and U.S. representative.

Pascal's funeral today was a celebration of the life he lived and the legacy he's left.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports.

An honor guard escorted Congressman Bill Pascrell casket down the steps of Paterson's Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.

Following an emotional funeral mass.

His family remembered with love and gentle humor.

The veteran politician, who passed away last week at the age of 87.

So, dad, you were this beautiful and powerful force in my life.

So much so that I could still feel your presence beside me.

Your voice reverberates in me as strong as when I last heard it.

I wish my dad was still with us.

He was my best friend for most of my life.

I've started every day talking to my dad.

I miss him very much.

Son Glen talked about his dad getting the Christmas tree.

Strapping it on the roof.

Putting their.

Dad putting the star on top.

Oh, by the way, he probably shouldn't have because he had a couple drinks.

And I'm sure.

Pascrell family addressed a congregation packed with friends and dignitaries, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Governor Tammy Murphy.

The family praised their mom, Elsie, for her unflagging support.

And as we all know, there would be no Bill Pascrell without Elsie.

The 90 minute service was led by Paterson Bishop Kevin Sweeney.

During the homily, Monsignor Gino Silva praised the Paterson born Pascrell for being a fighter who never succumbed to the hateful division that's so common in politics.

He drew laughs, noting Governor Murphy in 2020 had named route 19 after Pascrell.

How did I not know that?

You know why you didn't know it?

There's no sign telling us that.

Sorry, governor.

There's no sign.

So.

The right.

I had to do it.

Sorry, man.

Pascrell first served as Paterson's mayor, was elected to the Assembly, and then to Congress in 1996.

Known for his take no prisoners style, he got the Great Falls declared a national park.

Outside, his friends recalled pass girls devotion to Paterson and his constituents.

He was tough as nails, and he'd be willing to challenge people to go outside in a fistfight.

I mean, that's really uncanny of an elected official, right?

I'm not saying he wasn't a statesman, but he was an urban warrior, like he came from Paterson.

He came from the streets of the Jersey.

Guy who went to Washington stood up for the people of his district, for the people of the state, and really made a difference.

You know, he was, feisty and fiery and not afraid to tell people what he really thought.

Law enforcement officers and firefighters lined up in the street, recalling how Pascrell famously brought home the bacon for them from D.C..

He loved this more than anybody else.

He provided more funding for us and anybody else.

He fought like a lion for all of us.

I always loved them for that.

I always appreciated that, and I always thank them for that.

Tomorrow, members of the ninth Congressional District Democratic committees will gather to fill Bill Pascrell Place on the November ballot.

But today, he is irreplaceable in the hearts of his friends and family in Paterson.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.