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Memorial Service Held For Governor Scranton

SCRANTON — People gathered to offer a final farewell to a political giant who served our area and our nation. William Scranton served as congressman, gove...

SCRANTON -- People gathered to offer a final farewell to a political giant who served our area and our nation.

William Scranton served as congressman, governor, United Nations ambassador, and Republican presidential candidate.

On Wednesday, current and former lawmakers and people throughout northeastern Pennsylvania honored the former governor's life at a memorial service in Scranton.

Hundreds of people came to the hill section of Scranton to Covenant Presbyterian Church where William Scranton was a member. It was the former governor's wish to have his memorial service open to the public.

People from all over northeastern Pennsylvania lined up to get into the church before the service. We spoke to people who knew Governor Scranton, worked on his political campaigns, or were simply admirers of the man they say did so much for our area.

Many current and former state officials were also there to pay their respects. All of Pennsylvania's living governors attended the service and each recalled receiving advice from their predecessor Governor Scranton.

"I remember his encouragement to a young Dick Thornburgh when I was thinking of running for office. I held him in such great esteem because he was a role model and I remember having lunch with him in Scranton very early on in my campaign for governor and he gave me advice that served me all the time that I was in public life," said former governor Richard Thornburgh.

Governor William Scranton died last month in California at the age of 96. It was his wish to have a service back home in the city his family founded.

Admirers from all walks of life, including five former governors, came to pay their respects at the memorial service.

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