from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

After Gordie Howe's funeral ended and the dignitaries filed out of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, Howe's son Mark stood outside, weary and emotional.

Gordie had died Friday at age 88 after a long battle with dementia, strokes and other ailments. The family had received visitors for more than 12 hours during a public visitation at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday. Now it was over, and family and friends were headed to a private luncheon.

"It's just hard, no matter how much you know this day is coming," Mark Howe said. "I'm extremely thankful that Dad was able to hang on so long at the end. I really wanted to be with him. I was rubbing his forehead when he went, and …"

Mark broke down.

"I'm sorry," he said.

A security guard put a hand on Mark's shoulder. Reporters told Mark he had said enough.

"No," Mark said. "I'm OK."

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