Sargent Shriver Remembered Fondly at Funeral

Jan. 22, 2011— -- Family, friends and other mourners gathered today for the funeral of former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Peace Corps founder Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., who died Tuesday.

Former President Bill Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama, U2 front man Bono and singer Wyclef Jean, along with members of the Kennedy and Shriver families were among those in attendance at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, the Shriver family's church, in Potomac, Md.

During the ceremony Shriver's 19 grandchildren read passages recalling their grandfather's love of philanthropy, warm hugs and baseball.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington spoke directly to Shriver's grandchildren during the service, advising them to live their lives with the same courage and fortitude that their grandfather and late grandmother Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, brought to their lives and endeavors.

"Ask your parents to tell you stories. Read what your grandfather has written. When you think of him, rejoice in the heritage he has given you," Wuerl said.

Jean played piano and sang "All the Ends of the Earth" as guests including the Shriver family clapped along, while later, singer and actress Vanessa Williams sang the Andrae Crouch classic "Soon and Very Soon."

Shriver, who died at 95, had long suffered from Alzheimer's disease, a cause that his daughter, former California first lady Maria Shriver, championed in recent years.

Maria Shriver said her family took comfort in "knowing that Daddy is in heaven with God and with Mummy," and went on to describe his whimsy, while her brother Mark Shriver described him as an old-fashioned Irish storyteller who "never let the facts get in the way of a good story."

Tim Shriver, who is the current chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, said his father never coddled the children but "coached us to pursue those big, big ideas."