By BOB SALSBERG and DENISE LAVOIE (AP)

BOSTON — In death as in life, Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy on Friday brought together political rivals — this time to celebrate his life and half-century of service to his country.

A who's who of politics gathered at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston for the private service featuring music, laughter and calls to continue to fight for Kennedy's last political wish — health coverage for all Americans.

The speakers, many of whom worked for years with Kennedy in the Senate, shared stories of his congeniality and knack for compromise as they recalled his congressional successes and the ones he had yet to achieve when he died this week of a brain tumor at age 77, most notably the struggle for health care reform.

His closest friend in the Senate, Democrat Christopher Dodd, of Connecticut, noted Republicans Orrin Hatch and John McCain, who were also invited by Kennedy's family to speak at the private service.

"It is to their great credit that they so often supported Teddy's efforts. And, I say in some jest, it is to Teddy's great credit that he so rarely supported theirs," Dodd said to an eruption of laughter.

The "Celebration of Life," contrasted with the solemnity of the motorcade that carried Kennedy's body from Cape Cod to Boston a day earlier and the sobriety of the public viewing, where an estimated 50,000 people filed past the senator's flag-draped coffin at the presidential library named for one of his slain brothers.

Kennedy's nephew and former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy, called on people there to dedicate themselves to causes his Uncle Teddy had championed throughout his 47 years in the Senate. And he recalled a lesson he learned from his uncle one time when it appeared certain they were destined to lose a sailing race.

"He was telling me, never, ever, ever, ever give up. You stay in the race. And if people don't have health care, you stay in the race. If people don't have adequate housing, you stay in the race. If people aren't being treated properly you stay in the race," he said.

Other speakers were to include Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. John Kerry and niece Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy.

The health care bill on which Kennedy took the lead has been among the most controversial pieces of legislation considered by Congress in recent years. Protests have erupted around the country, and opponents have called it a nationalized — even socialized — program.

Anyone addressing the health care bill at the service would tread a fine line between taste and politics, especially since conservative commentators have already objected to proposals to name the measure The Kennedy Bill.

Dodd, who has taken over Kennedy's key role on Capitol Hill on the health care bill, said Kennedy had called him two weeks ago when he was coming out of surgery for prostate cancer.

"'Well,' he roared, 'between going through prostate cancer surgery and doing town hall meetings, you made the right choice!'" Dodd recalled. "And though he was dying, and I was hurting, believe me, he had me howling with laughter in the recovery room as he made a few choice comments, I cannot repeat, about catheters."

At moments, the event took on the feel of an Irish wake, though it always returned to Kennedy's commitment to family and country.

"He suffered from the constant pain of a shattered back, and he bore more hurt and heartache than most human beings are ever asked to endure, but at every opportunity he brought hope and joy and optimism to more people than we will ever know," said longtime friend Paul Kirk Jr., chairman of the library's foundation.

In a tender family moment, Joe Kennedy thanked his cousins — Kennedy's children — for sharing him with so many, particularly after the assassinations of Kennedy's brothers.

"Every single one of my brothers and sisters needed a father, and we gained one through Uncle Teddy. Caroline and John were no different," he said. "The truth of the matter is that for so many of us, we just needed someone to hang onto, and Teddy was always there to hang onto. He had such a big heart, and he shared that heart with all of us."

The private memorial, which was nationally televised, came hours after officials ended the two-day public viewing of the flag-draped casket at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Maureen Conte, 44, rode her bike 40 minutes to the library and was one of the last people allowed in the viewing.

"I did it for my parents," Conte said. "My mom called me and was so sad. She said, 'It's the end of an era.' I came to pay homage to Ted for all he's done for our country."

Greeting visitors were members of the Kennedy family, including daughter Kara Kennedy Allen, nephew Tim Shriver and the senator's sister and the last surviving Kennedy sibling, 81-year-old Jean Kennedy Smith.

Smith, the former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, choked back tears.

"This is a hard time for me," she said when asked to talk about her brother.

A five-person military honor guard stood at attention around the casket in a high-ceilinged room with a spectacular view of Boston Harbor. Large photos greeted mourners on their way into the room, including one of Kennedy as a boy with his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, and a 1960s-era shot of Kennedy with his slain brothers, John and Robert.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, better known as the Mission Church, in Boston on Saturday. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and tenor Placido Domingo will perform, and President Barack Obama is delivering the eulogy.

All the living former presidents are expected to attend except for George H.W. Bush. Spokesman Jim McGrath said Friday that the 85-year-old Bush feels his son's presence will "amply and well represent" the family.

Kennedy will be buried Saturday evening near his brothers at Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia.

Associated Press writer Glen Johnson contributed to this report.

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