WELLESLEY — The old guard of Massachusetts politics came out in full force to pay their respects to former state treasurer Robert Q. Crane, who died Friday at 91.

Politicians and power brokers gathered at St. Paul Church in Wellesley Tuesday and paid a rousing tribute to the longest-serving state treasurer, who was remembered for his generosity, charismatic smile, and colorful personality.

The pews were filled with many familiar faces, including Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, former speakers Charles Flaherty and Thomas Finneran, and a former lieutenant governor, Thomas P. O’Neill III.

Boston businessman Jack Connors spoke at the Mass and described Crane as a role model. Connors recalled asking Crane over lunch about which candidate he should support for a particular office.

Connors said Crane responded like this: “That’s the easiest question anyone’s ever asked me. We’re going to be with the winner. We’re going to support everyone, and then remind the winner that ‘We’ve been with you from the very beginning.’ ’’

Connors praised Crane’s generosity and public service and joked that when Crane was treasurer, the unemployment rate in his neighborhood, Brighton, was under 1 percent.

“Bob Crane used his power for good. He knew what a job meant to a family,’’ Connors said. “He spent a lifetime doing good, and nobody did it better.’’

When David Crane delivered his eulogy, he spoke of his father’s humble beginnings in Brighton and of how he joined the Marines and served in World War II.

After graduating from Boston College, Crane got married and went on to a successful political career in the House of Representatives from 1957 until 1964, when he was elected treasurer, a position he held for 26 years. He also served as the state lottery’s first chairman.

“People sought him out for advice, and he always left them with a smile,’’ he said.

David Crane said his mother and father spent more than 60 years together.

“Dad would tell everyone, her’s was the most important vote he ever won,’’ he said.

Former Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle also spoke at the Mass and recalled Crane’s love of singing with his band, the Treasury Notes.

“Bob took great pride in the fact that he was the only statewide constitutional officer — maybe nationwide, if you think about it — to have practically an entire orchestra on the state payroll,’’ Barnicle quipped. “He had a piano player, a guitar player, a drummer, an alto, a soprano, and by the way, he also had a dentist on the payroll.’’

Laughter filled the church.

Barnicle said that Crane never tried to hide anything or dodge questions from the press. He told another story of how the Globe’s Spotlight Team once questioned Crane about raises he’d given to three of his deputies. Two deputies received $2,500 raises, and a third got a $5,000 raise, Barnicle said, so the Globe wanted to know: Why the discrepancy?

Barnicle said: “Bob answered right away, ‘Simple — the other two don’t paint my house every summer.’ ’’

As the packed church burst into laughter again, Barnicle added that “Somewhere, Mike Dukakis is having to be resuscitated.’’

Taking a more serious tone, Barnicle recalled Crane as being intensely loyal, thoughtful, and kind.

He said that when Kevin White, the late mayor, was suffering from Alzheimer’s, Crane made it a point to take him out to lunch regularly at the Stockyard in Brighton.

“Bob would order for the mayor, sit alongside him, take care of him, make him laugh. And there were moments when the fog in Kevin’s eyes would recede . . . for just a moment, for just a minute,’’ Barnicle said. “And Bob would say after in the parking lot, ‘This has been a good day.’ ’’

Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com.