Honour guards stand by the casket of former Ontario lieutenant governor Lincoln Alexander as he lies in state at the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. Alexander will be laid to rest today in a provincial state funeral in his hometown of Hamilton. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

HAMILTON - Former Ontario lieutenant-governor Lincoln Alexander will be laid to rest today in a provincial state funeral in his hometown of Hamilton.

Alexander, who was also Canada's first black Member of Parliament, died on Oct. 19. He was 90.

Hundreds are expected to attend the service including Governor-General David Johnston, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley.

The last provincial state funeral was for former premier John Robarts in 1982.

The ceremonies will begin around 12:30 p.m. with a funeral procession from Hamilton City Hall to Hamilton Place, where the ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Alexander's casket will be carried by pallbearers Jim Hubel, Peter George and JoJo Chintoh.

Organizers say they expect to have nearly 1,000 seats set aside on a first-come, first-served basis for the public to attend the service, while the remainder will be reserved for Alexander's family, friends and invited guests.

An audio feed of the funeral will also be broadcast live from nearby Commonwealth Square for attendees unable to get a seat.

The funeral will be led by Rev. Allison Barrett, formerly of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton.

It will also include readings from ex-Ontario premier David Peterson, former McMaster University president Peter George, former Hamilton police chief Colin Millar, Guelph University president Alastair Summerlee and Toronto Argonauts vice-chair Michael "Pinball" Clemons.

Alexander's son, Keith Alexander, and two grandchildren Marissa and Erika Alexander, will deliver the eulogy. His wife, Marni Alexander, was not scheduled to speak.

Alexander's casket laid in state in the Ontario legislature earlier this week before it was moved to Hamilton City Hall.

Born in Toronto in 1922 to West Indian immigrants, Alexander was a wireless operator with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War.

He became the first black member of Parliament in when he was elected in 1968, and was re-elected three times, in 1972, 1979 and 1980.

Alexander was also Canada's first black cabinet minister, having the labour portfolio from 1979 to 1980 under the Progressive Conservative government of Joe Clark.

He served as Ontario's lieutenant governor from 1985 to 1991 — the province's first black vice-regal.

Michael Forrest, president of the National African Canadian Association, says Alexander's accomplishments paved the way for many.

"He was definitely a great role model, not only to the black community but to many Canadians," said Forrest, who had met Alexander on a number of occasions.

"(He showed) that whatever your starting point in life, as long as you're clear of where you want to go in your life and you work towards it, it can be accomplished and it can be realized. And sometimes you have to use the challenges that you face around you and make them your strengths as well."

Forrest said he plans on attending Friday's service to pay his respects to a "very regal man."

News from © The Canadian Press, 2012