“Sopranos” Star James Gandolfini's Body Arrives in NYC Ahead of Funeral; Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in NJ

James Gandolfini, 51, died of a heart attack Wednesday in Rome

Funeral services for James Gandolfini are scheduled for this week at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City, a spokeswoman says, as the iconic "Sopranos" actor's home state of New Jersey lowers its flags to half-staff in memory of its native son.

An HBO spokeswoman said on the family's behalf that Gandolfini's New York funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church on 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

The 51-year-old star of "The Sopranos" died Wednesday in Rome. Family spokesman Michael Kobold says Gandolfini died of a heart attack.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey spokesman Steve Coleman tells the Star-Ledger of Newark that a Signature Airlines flight carrying Gandolfini's body arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport from Rome Sunday night. The body was taken from the airport around 11:20 p.m. but Coleman did not say where.

The actor had been headed to Sicily to appear at the Taormina Film Festival, which paid tribute to him Saturday.

Meanwhile, flags in Gandolfini's home state will be flown at half-staff Monday in memory of the New Jersey icon.

The flag directive was issued Friday by Gov. Chris Christie, who said Gandolfini was an iconic actor who "left a timeless impact upon television and film in the state of New Jersey and across our nation."

Gandolfini was born in Westwood. He grew up in Park Ridge and attended Rutgers, the state's flagship public university.

Christie has called the actor, acclaimed for his role as mobster Tony Soprano, a "New Jersey treasure."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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