A Toronto transit worker who died on the job was remembered Wednesday as a devoted family man whose integrity and generosity inspired those around him.

A large crowd of friends, family and colleagues gathered for the funeral for Peter Pavlovski, 49, who died Friday after being hit by a service train just north of the city.

The married father of three was a Toronto Transit Commission employee for 22 years and had just celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary the week before his death.

His niece told the packed east Toronto cathedral, and those who watched the service on large screens in a second hall and outside, that her uncle was "someone you could look up to every day."

"We always knew that he was loyal, a very loyal, dedicated family man that worked extremely hard and had that Pavlovski work ethic at everything he did," Melanie Pavlovski said.

She choked up as she recalled her uncle's "distinct and contagious smile" and his close bond with his large family, whom he often brought together over lavish and delicious meals.