Norwich – Hundreds of mourners came to St. Patrick's Cathedral this morning to bid farewell to William B. Stanley, an institution in the hometown he loved and promoted tirelessly through fierce political battles, subtle "observations" and stories that delighted his audiences.

"Thank you all for being here today to remember my dad," William A. Stanley said at the start of his eulogy for his father. "He would be honored and humbled. And if you knew dad, you know he was pretty sure of himself, and there wasn't much in this world that humbled him. This would though. It would mean a lot to him."

The Mass at St. Patrick's and burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Greeneville was punctuated by military tributes that spanned centuries and cultures. Marine Veteran and inaugural Connecticut State Troubadour Tom Callinan of Norwich sang the Marines' hymn as the Mass recessional.

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10 of Norwich served as Honor Guard and conducted the 21-gun salute to Stanley, a Marine Corps veteran. The Marine Corps Military Honors Detail folded the casket flag and presented it to Stanley's family.

The Second Connecticut Governor's Foot Guard, founded in 1775 by then-Captain Benedict Arnold in New Haven, presented the family with a key, a symbol of the group's roots. Stanley was made honorary captain in the guard for his efforts to gain respect for Arnold's early service to the American Revolution.

And greeting guests as they arrived at the cemetery were the Mohegan Tribal Drummers, honoring Stanley for his support and respect for the tribe.

Msgr. Anthony Rosaforte told mourners during his homily that it was understandable to grieve for Stanley and miss him and to thank God for his life. He also urged them to thank God that Stanley no longer is suffering from the lingering health problems of his later years.

Rosaforte noted how older generations loved to reflect with Stanley on his "Once Upon a Time" stories, while younger generations might have looked skeptically at the nostalgia.

"I believe you are now in a 'happily ever after' place," Rosaforte said.