Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was among the country's top political and business leaders gathered in Winnipeg Thursday for the funeral of Israel (Izzy) Asper.

More than a thousand people packed into Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and hundreds lined the streets to hear the service, which was broadcast over a public address system.

Also in attendance were Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, Manitoba's Lieutenant-Governor Peter Liba, Liberal MP Paul Martin and Alliance Party leader, Stephen Harper.

Israel (Izzy) Asper laid to rest

Asper's grandchild, Daniel, spoke as well as his children, Gail, David and Leonard.

Leonard said of his father, "He knew how to create. He knew how to give. He knew how to live. He knew how to nurture. He knew how to love. Thank you for what you gave to the world and to your family. We have your checklist. We know what's left to be done. We will not let you down. Goodbye dad. Goodbye friend."

The founder and chairman of CanWest Global Communications died suddenly Tuesday at the age of 71 of a heart attack.

Hundreds outside pay respect to Asper

• INDEPTH: Israel Asper

A representative of the Israeli embassy also attended. Asper was a strong advocate of Israel and a donor to Jewish causes.

Seats were made available for the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Asper's media empire began when he purchased a local North Dakota TV station and moved it to Winnipeg.

He then rescued the floundering Global TV network in Ontario, forming CanWest Global in 1977 and began the long process of acquiring stations across the country, in the United States and around the world.

In 1998, CanWest Global could be called Canada's third national TV network when Asper picked up almost a dozen television stations from Montreal to Vancouver.

Even though he formally handed over control of the company to his son Leonard in 1999, he remained a powerful force.

In July 2000, CanWest Global stunned the media world with the $3.5 billion purchase of the Canadian newspaper and Internet assets of Hollinger International, the company headed by Canadian media baron Conrad Black.

That newspaper purchase remains the biggest deal in Canadian media history. CanWest Global acquired 136 daily and weekly newspapers, including half of The National Post, 13 large big-city dailies, 85 trade publications and directories in the Southam Magazine and Information Group.

CanWest subsequently bought the other half of The National Post. The Hollinger deal made Asper's CanWest a multi-media giant.

Asper was also known as a philanthropist, giving millions of dollars to universities and hospitals.