Family, friends and political heavyweights bid a final goodbye today to one of the champions of the Democratic party, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral service for the late governor at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan. Cuomo died on New Year's Day just hours after his son was inaugurated for his second term. He was 82 years old.

Dignitaries, including Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Attorney General Eric Holder and Mayor Bill de Blasio, were among those who gathered to mourn the former governor.

Also in attendance were prominent Republicans including former U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato, of Island Park, and state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, of Rockville Centre.

"He really was an example of how a governor should conduct themselves," said Skelos. "He challenged all of us to bring out the best in us, but also challenged us to get the best results for the people of the state."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered the eulogy, calling his father "a fierce advocate for those in need."

"He had a natural connection with the outsider looking in," said the governor. "The person fighting for inclusion, the underdog, the minority, the disenfranchised, the poor."

Gov. Mario Cuomo served three terms after his first election in 1982.