WINDSOR, Ont. – Family and friends held a “celebration of life” ceremony in Windsor, Ont., today for Howard Pawley, a small-town lawyer who rose to become Manitoba’s second NDP premier.

Pawley died in late December, at the age of 81.

The service, held at the University of Windsor, included a number of tributes from close friends and family.

His daughter, Charysse Pawley, said her family will continue to follow in her father’s footsteps.

“Dad, your love, your patience and your understanding, your wisdom and your support will live on inside of us forever. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, dad and grandfather, and we love you,” she said.

“He taught us respect, caring and humility and it is through leading by example and treating everyone as equal, he taught us all about humanity,” she added.

Shortly after his death, Pawley was heralded as “an exceptional visionary” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Pawley taught law and political science at the University of Windsor after he left politics. His daughter said he considered the school to be a second home.

University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman along with close friends Jake Soderlund, Justice Murray Sinclair and former Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin all spoke at the service.

A similar service will be held in Manitoba later this year.