Cellucci Memorial Held at State House

Former Gov. Paul Cellucci was honored by the commonwealth he served Thursday with a memorial service at the State House.

Cellucci passed away at 65 over the weekend after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Beacon Street was closed to traffic temporarily around noon as a state police-led procession brought his casket to the place where Cellucci served as governor from 1997 to 2001.

One of the police vehicles in the procession was from Cellucci's hometown of Hudson.

Among the dignitaries outside the State House as the procession arrived were Gov. Deval Patrick, former Gov. William Weld and former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card.

The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums played as eight troopers carried Cellucci's casket into the State House for a memorial service in the House chambers..

Cellucci's casket will lie in the Hall of Flags Rotunda of the State House for a public viewing Thursday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. A public funeral Mass will be held in Hudson Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Parish, 21 Manning St.

Cellucci was also a former state senator and state representative, former lieutenant governor under Weld and was U.S. ambassador to Canada under President George W. Bush.