Former Gov. Joseph Garrahy laid to rest

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI/AP) - Hundreds of people filed into the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence to say a final goodbye to former RI Gov. Joseph Garrahy .

The legendary Rhode Island statesman was laid to rest Tuesday morning.

"A man who never forgot his humble beginnings, he grew up to be the executive of this state," said Most Rev. Robert E. Evans.

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Rev. Marcel Taillon, pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Narragansett, presided over the Mass.

"Truth be told, the greatest homily that could ever be given about J. Joseph Garrahy has already been given. It's been given by the way he has lived his life," said Taillon during the ceremony.

Garrahy died in a Florida hospital last week at the age of 81.

He served as the Ocean State's governor from 1977 to 1985, and is remembered fondly for his leadership through the Blizzard of '78.

He was buried at St. Francis Cemetery in South Kingstown.