Thousands Pay Respect to Richard

MONTREAL — Even in death, Maurice Richard inspired outbursts of admiring applause from the thousands who came Wednesday to say goodbye at an emotional funeral service.

Many arrived at the ornate Notre-Dame Basilica looking much like they would to see a game--wearing Montreal Canadien jerseys and caps, jeans, even cameras draped around their necks.

As 1,500 fans crowded inside to join 1,200 family, friends and dignitaries, hundreds more milled around outside to watch the service on a large screen.

The funeral for Richard, who died Saturday at 78 after a battle with abdominal cancer and Parkinson’s disease, attracted a who’s who of hockey and politics rarely seen together in one setting.

Among those who filtered into the basilica were Gordie Howe, a bitter rival of Richard’s in the 1940s and ‘50s; Detroit Red Wing Coach Scotty Bowman, who used to coach the Canadiens; King forward Luc Robitaille; and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Mourners broke into spontaneous applause for Richard after the homily and after his son Maurice Richard Jr. spoke.

Richard Jr. told the mourners the family has felt nothing but love over the last few days. He took special note of the 115,000 people who paid their respects to his father on Tuesday as he lay in state at the Molson Centre, adding that his father would have approved of the outpouring of affection.

“I’m sure that if he’s watched from above what’s happened over the last two or three days, he would be very proud,” Richard Jr. said.