Friends and former colleagues are fondly remembering Herb Gray after the former deputy prime minister died in Ottawa on Monday at the age of 82.

With nearly 40 years in the House of Commons, Gray was one of the country’s longest serving MPs in history. He was also Canada’s first Jewish cabinet minister, and received the title of “right honourable,” an honour normally reserved for prime ministers and chief justices of the Supreme Court.

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin believes former Gray deserves a state funeral.

“Do I think that Herb Gray is entitled to the same kind of funeral that others who received state funerals have? Absolutely. Let there be no doubt about that,” Martin told 680News on Tuesday.

But Martin adds that’s a personal matter for family to discuss.

Listen to the full interview between Martin and reporter Cormac MacSweeney below.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, however, appeared to signal that a state funeral would not be in the cards.

Gray was a “great Canadian and a tremendous parliamentarian who served with honour and dignity,” said Jason MacDonald, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office.

“We are offering to support Mr. Gray’s family with the planning and logistics of his funeral.”

Gray served as an MP in Windsor and held 11 different cabinet posts and after he retired in 2002.

“I think it’s a great loss and I feel it personally,” Martin explained.

Martin knew Gray as a young man because his father also served with Gray as a Windsor MP.

Martin told 680News that Herb was known for his integrity and intelligence but also for being a fun guy despite his sometimes dry demeanour.

“He had a great sense of humour,” Martin described. “You wouldn’t take Herb on in a battle of wits expecting to win.”

“In the House of Commons when we sat together, he consistently stole my water. He did it every time I was standing up and was reaching desperately, throat parched, and then I would find my glass was empty and Herb was looking up with a beatific smile.”

Martin believes Gray’s legacy will be his dedicated work for Canada especially on files like climate change and aboriginal affairs.

The details of Gray’s funeral have not been released.

With files from The Canadian Press