Family, friends and co-workers of James Gandolfini gathered Thursday in New York City to pay their final respects to the late actor. The 90 minute service was held at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine on the Upper West Side. Mourners included Gandolfini’s 13-year-old son Michael, widow Deborah Lin, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sopranos creator and executive producer David Chase. Chase was joined by other Sopranos stars, including Jamie Lynn Sigler, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Joe Pantoliano, Dominic Chianese, Steve Buscemi, Vincent Curatola, Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirippa, John Ventimiglia, Vincent Pastore and Aida Turturro.
The service was lead by the Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski. Speakers included Lin, David Chase and two family friends. Lin was the first to pay tribute. "My husband was an honest, kind and loving man. He cared more about others than himself. ... Thank you for the memories of the beautiful life we spent together,” she said. "I love you Jim, and I always will. Rest in peace."
Chase read a letter he wrote to Gandolfini. He remembered the actor as a “sad boy, amazed and confused.” "You could see it in your eyes. That's why you were a great actor,” he said.
Gandolfini died of a heart attack last Wednesday in Rome. He was just 51-years-old.
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