Rob Ford funeral: 'Ford Nation will continue,' brother says in eulogy

Rob Ford's brother Doug reassured the former Toronto mayor'ssupporters Wednesday that they will not be forgotten, as he delivered an emotional eulogy to a packed downtownchurch filled with supporters, family members and politicians.

"Rob,I'm going to miss you like crazy, I loveyoumorethan anything in the world," DougFord said as he stoodbeforehis brother's casket, which was draped in the city's flag. "And don't worry,FordNation will continue continuerespecting the taxpayers."

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Hundreds of supportersjoined the Ford familyin walking the short journeyfromcity hall to St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto.

The citycouncillorand former mayordied of cancer last week at the age of 46.

"Rob truly believed he was the mayor ofCanada, not the mayor of Toronto,"Fordsaid.

'Ford Nation will continue'

9 years ago

Duration 0:32

Doug Ford says 'Ford Nation will continue' in his eulogy for his brother, Rob Ford.

He began hiseulogywith a message for his brother's wife,Renata, andtheirchildren, Stephanie, 10, andDougie, 8.

"Stephanie andDougie, you'll always be taken care of, you'll always be loved and you have thousands of people that are going to love you and take care of you andRenata," he said.

"I know my dad is in a better place now. He's the mayor of heaven now," Stephanie told those gathered, with her mother and brother standing beside her.

"I remember at the hospital, he smiled at me and he said, 'Stephanie, I might not be here for too much longer,'" she said. "He said, 'I want you to remember that I always love you."'

Former Ontario premier Mike Harriswas thefirst to speak at the funeral service.

"What a breath of fresh air he was at city hall," he said. "We're going to miss him."

The cathedral was briefly filled withsounds of laughter asspeakersshared anecdotes. Doug Ford recalled a time when hisbrotherdelivered a sandwich to a constituent's home late at night, and called it "classicRob Ford."

Clinton Leonard, a former player on theDonBoscoEagles high school football team, also joked that Rob Ford,their former coach, would hide in the bushes to make surethe playersdidn't make mistakes.

"Coach was always about family and jelling as a unit," he said. "No one wanted to get that face red, so we behaved."

Rev. AndrewAsbil, rector of St. James Cathedral, noted that Ford'soutbursts at city hall and his struggles with addiction earned him worldwide notoriety.

"Very few of us in this room know what it's like to carry the burden of living your failings and your weaknesses in such a public way as Rob Ford. And this is important very few of us will know what it's like to experience the love and admiration of so many for the work that we do in the same way as Rob did."

The burial service for Rob Fordwasa private event, but members of the Ford family will host a public celebration of his life at the Toronto Congress Centrebetween6:30 and9 p.m.

Mournersgatheredoutside city hall early on Wednesday morning,before the family arrived to begin the procession to the church.Since Monday, Ford's bodywaslying in repose inthe city hall rotunda, where family membersreceiveddignitaries and members of the public who wanted to pay their final respects.

The family invited members of the public to attend the funeral and join them in the walk to St. James Cathedral.

AfterRenataFord arrived at city hall with her childrenon Wednesday morning, sheblew kisses to the crowd of supporters gathered outside.

Along list of local politicians and dignitaries, including Toronto Mayor John Tory, Ontario Premier KathleenWynneandLt.-Gov. ElizabethDowdeswellattended the funeral.

A number of MPs,MPPsand senators, along with former mayors David Miller, MelLastmanand JohnSewellalso came to pay their respects, along with police Chief Mark Saunders. FormerMississaugamayor HazelMcCallion, who often butted heads with Ford, also attended the funeral.

Liberal MP and former citycouncillorAdam Vaughan, who was one of Ford's loudest critics on city council during his time as mayor, said the day wasn't about politics. The day was to let Ford's family know that they have the support of their political family.

"I think Mike Harris said it well today:politics takes its toll on the homefront,and he's left behind two young kids who lost a lot of their dad's time when he was around to politics, and now they've lost him forever," Vaughan told CBC News.

"As apoliticalfamily you come togetherand say, 'Lookit, we respect andunderstandthe hardships that you're going through,and we're here for you."

Most people would be surprised to learn that Ford was actually quite shy, Vaughan said, adding that he rarely had private conversations with Ford outside of council chambers.

Ford "built a brand" out of calling back constituents, and politicians can learn lessons from him, Vaughan said.

"He knew that you earned the job and you kept the job by helping people," Vaughan said. "And for that he's earned respect of a great many people and he deserves it."