A private funeral was held for acclaimed writer Mordecai Richler in Montreal on Thursday, where the author's five children spoke lovingly of their father.

Daniel, Noah, Emma, Martha and Jacob Richler all had to pause during their reminiscing to shed tears or regain their composure.

Yes, his books will always be a joy, but they'll never replace the man, Daniel Richler said.

Jacob, the youngest, described his father's strict work habits, as well as his love for his wife.

He worked every day and it seemed at times that it was work as much as love for my mom that kept him going, Jacob Richler said.

Noah Richler drew laughter when he read a passage from his father's book, Joshua Then and Now. The excerpt dealt with a father giving advice on sex to his 16-year-old son.

About 150 people attended the service at a Montreal funeral home.

After the service, Richler's coffin was carried out of the funeral home for the journey to Mount Royal Cemetery.

The prolific Montreal-born author, who was known as much for his wit as his words, died of complications from cancer at a Montreal General Hospital Tuesday morning.

Word of his death came as a shock to Canada's literary community, since most people had only recently heard of his illness. Richler had a kidney removed in 1998 and was undergoing chemotherapy after cancer resurfaced in his remaining kidney.

Born in 1931, Richler grew up in a working-class neighbourhood. He moved to Paris at the age of 19, where he began to work on his first novel, The Acrobats. In 1954, he moved to England, where he wrote numerous novels before returning to Canada with his family in 1972.

Not content to write novels, Richler worked as a journalist and newspaper columnist, often igniting controversy with his staunch opposition to Quebec separation.

He received numerous accolades during his career, including two Governor General literary awards, the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Giller Prize.

Richler was nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize in 2001 and named Companion of the Order of Canada the same year.

At the time of his death, Richler was working on a new book, entitled On Snooker. It will be released in August.

The family has said there will be a public memorial service early in September.