John Bray was part of a four-member honor guard from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections that attended Friday's service.

"We feel we need to be here," he said.

Bray said because corrections officers are the ones who work behind bars, they are sometimes the forgotten ones. The Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers wanted to make sure Anderson wasn't forgotten, he said.

On a table outside the chapel, pictures of Anderson, many in wood frames he made, were displayed. Many of the photos showed him and his love for the outdoors, either on ATVs, rafting with grandchildren or using his bulldozer to clear new campsites and trails for his family.

In front of the photos was a sign, "I believe in superheroes."

On another table were Anderson's badges, awards, a plaque presented to Anderson's family following his death, and a Boy Scout handbook. Family members say being a Scoutmaster was his favorite church calling.

Anderson's four daughters, his son, Shawn, his brother, Jerome, and sister, Angie, all shared similar stores during the service of Anderson's generous personality.

"I love you, Dad ... the greatest example in my life," Shawn Anderson said, fighting back tears, who followed in his father's footsteps of working for the Department of Corrections.

"My dad was the greatest man I've ever known," said Sherrie Hardy.

Anderson's children recalled how their father always had a project going on, how he loved to work with his hands, and how when those hands weren't busy fixing something or laying carpet for a neighbor, they were almost always holding one of his 16 grandchildren.

Lisa McCloy said her father taught by example and always made his family feel secure.

"I have the most amazing dad. It's hard to imagine life without him," she said in tears. "I love you, Dad. I miss you."

"He was not only a great man, he is a man of greatness," daughter Melanie Stewart said.

All of Anderson's children and siblings had trouble holding back their tears during the ceremony. The most emotional moment, however, was when several of Anderson's grandchildren, led by 10-year-old Dallin Hardy, stood at the front of the podium to sing the LDS hymn "I am a Child of God." Hardy became so overcome with emotion during his short speech that the children could barely make it through the singing of one verse.

Hardy openly cried as he talked about his grandfather's twinkling smile and how he was the "kindest" and "fun for everyone."