With students, alumni and fans lining the streets, Joe Paterno’s funeral procession drove slowly past Beaver Stadium and through the town where the longtime Penn State football coach lived and worked for more than 60 years.
Thousands of mourners waited on the sidewalks, four deep and more in some places, for a glimpse of the electric-blue hearse carrying Paterno’s casket.
The convoy also included buses filled with Paterno’s family, former players and other guests.
The procession began at 4:15 p.m., more than an hour late after the service at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at University Park.
The procession passed Beaver Stadium in silence. As it passed Paternoville, students were heard shouting for JoePa.
Crowds built for the procession when it reached downtown State College. Students packed along the sidewalks and everyone took photos.
Sue Paterno sat in the first seat of the blue Penn State bus that followed the hearse. That was Joe Paterno's seat on gameday, as the football team came to Beaver Stadium.
The procession will take Paterno's body to a private burial.
“I think it’s a great thing that a lot of Penn Staters, young and old, are coming out to show support and their good-byes,” said Chelsea Grompone, a junior at Penn State.
“It’s a good symbol of everything he’s done for all of us," said fellow junior Kendall Hauer.
"I think we all needed it to help with our grieving process," said Crystal Evans, 46, of Huntingdon.
Lighted signs on passing CATA buses were alternating between flashing the bus's destination and the words "Paterno proud."
Earlier, Sue Paterno was the first of the family off of the blue Penn State bus to attend the private funeral service for Joe Paterno starting at 2 p.m. Jay Paterno was with her.
The family arrived at 1:15 p.m. A charter bus of the Pohland party pulled up next. Pohland is Sue's maiden name.
A who’s who of Paterno connections followed. His defensive coordinator, Tom Bradley, walked down the sidewalk with Penn State and NFL great Franco Harris.
“Today’s Mass was a celebration. We laid to rest a great man,” Bradley said. “He meant so much to so many people.”
Also seen entering were Sen. Jake Corman and former Athletic Director Tim Curley, former football standout Courtney Brown, and actor Billy Baldwin.
Share photos of the procession by emailing them to cdtphoto@centredaily.com for an online gallery.
Did you view the procession? Share your thoughts in the forum linked here.
