A sense of humour, generosity, and dogged determination were some of the qualities that defined Claude Bechard, his loved ones said before he was laid to rest Saturday.

More than 1,000 people gathered to pay their final respects to Bechard at a state funeral in his hometown of Ste. Anne de La Pocatiere, northeast of Quebec City.

Bechard, 41, lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on Tuesday, just hours after resigning his post as MNA for Kamouraska-Temiscouata.

He served as minister for agriculture and intergovernmental affairs, deputy house leader, and was also responsible for the Lower St. Lawrence region.

Bells tolled as pallbearers carried his casket -- draped in Quebec's Fleur-de-lis -- outside of the cathedral.

Before the service began, Premier Jean Charest remarked that it was "very touching" to see so many people at the church.

"Those close to him will remember his sense of humour, his contagious laugh," Charest said before entering the church.

"He had that gift and he shared it readily."

CTV Montreal's Quebec City Bureau Chief John Grant said the church was packed with mourners who lived in Bechard's riding.

"He's really well-known. They didn't call him "Deputy" or "Mr. Minister" -- they just called him Claude. And Charest said that's what made him happy."

Lifelong dedication to politics

Charest also recalled that when he wanted to lighten Bechard's workload while he battled his terminal illness, the minister refused, Grant said.

"Charest said, ‘You have to remember there's life after politics,' and Bechard said, ‘Politics is my life.'"

Along with Charest and his cabinet colleagues, Quebec's opposition politicians and former premier Daniel Johnson also attended the ceremony.

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe was among a handful of federal MPs who came to pay their respects.

Described as an ambitious and versatile politician, Bechard was touted as a possible successor to Charest.

Bechard leaves behind two daughters from a previous relationship, his spouse Mylene Champoux, and her two children.

His 11-year-old daughter, Justine, read a prayer at the service -- a moving moment that stood out for Duceppe.

"She had the determination of her father in her eyes," he told reporters as he left the church.

Mourners broke into applause as Bechard's flag-draped coffin was carried away in a silver hearse.

With files from The Canadian Press