Funeral services were held for U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. on Thursday.

Political colleagues, friends and family members gathered at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to pay their respects to the longtime congressman.

Payne died last month at the age of 65 after suffering a heart attack.

“Don devoted every fiber of his being to carrying the Payne family legacy to new heights,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.

"Don was this guy that wasn't loud but when he spoke, you listened to him. His gentility opened hearts. He had a way of seeing people that others overlook,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.

Flags were flown at half-staff across the state in Payne’s honor.