Former teammates, politicians and hundreds of fans attended the public viewing of Montreal Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau, who died at the age of 83. Former teammate Yvan Cournoyer says Beliveau was "like a father" to him.The Canadian Press
Hockey legend Jean Beliveau, who died on Dec. 2 at the age of 83, will be laid to rest today in Montreal.
His funeral is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET at Mary Queen of the World cathedral and will be presided over by the Archbishop of Montreal, Christian Lepine.
The Canadiens said former players Yvan Cournoyer, Phil Goyette, Guy Lafleur, Robert Rousseau, Serge Savard and Jean-Guy Talbot will be the pallbearers.
Team owner Geoff Molson, along with former Beliveau teammates Serge Savard, Yvan Cournoyer, Ken Dryden and Dickie Moore, will deliver eulogies.
The funeral procession will leave the Bell Centre at 1 p.m. ET. Thousands of people had quietly filed into the arena on Sunday and Monday to pay their respects to Beliveau and shake hands with his wife, Elise.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. David Johnston and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard will be among the dignitaries at the service.
A few hundred seats will be reserved for fans on a first come, first served basis. Those who cannot get inside will be able to watch the ceremony on giant screens nearby.
Montreal police, who have been wearing camouflage pants and red ballcaps in recent months to protest pension plan reforms, have said they will wear their regulation uniforms today out of respect for Beliveau.
Beliveau won the Stanley Cup 10 times as a player and seven more as a team executive. He entered the Hockey Hall of Fame the year after his retirement in 1971.