Relatives, friends and colleagues paid final respects Thursday in Ossining to a beloved federal judge.

Hundreds of mourners, including Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore, filed into Trinity Episcopal with heavy hearts and fond memories of U.S. District Court Judge Charles Brieant. They described him as tough, but fair.

"Whenever you appeared before Judge Brieant, you learned something," said attorney Helen Ullrich. "He was not only a great judge, but a great teacher of the law."

Brieant, 85, lost his battle with cancer Sunday. He served for 37 years, seven of which were spent as a chief judge of the Southern District of New York. He presided over many cases at the federal White Plains Courthouse.

Mourners said they hope that courthouse will one day bear Brieant's name. They said he was accessible and that attorneys had nothing to fear, provided that they were prepared.

Brieant leaves behind a wife, four children and nine grandchildren.