A steady stream of New Yorkers and tourists filled St. Patrick’s Cathedral Monday to pay their final respects to Edward Cardinal Egan ahead of Tuesday’s funeral for the cleric, who led the New York Archdiocese for nine years.
Egan’s body arrived at St. Patrick’s at 10 a.m. and was greeted by Egan’s successor, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. His open brown casket was placed toward the front of the cathedral where the faithful filed past.
A police officer and a firefighter flanked Egan’s casket and a portrait of the cardinal was placed behind it.
Egan, 82, who died last Tuesday, was remembered as a gentle giant who loved his parishioners.
“He was a wonderful, gentle man,” said Karen Cassidy of Astoria, who once received Communion from Egan at St. Pat’s. “It was touching to be in there.”
Egan’s funeral will be held 2 p.m Tuesday ahead of his burial in a crypt below St. Patrick’s main altar.