ST PATRICK'S Cathedral was filled to capacity yesterday as friends, family and the Ballarat arts community came together to farewell renowned artist and teacher Peter Blizzard.More than 600 mourners came to pay tribute to Mr Blizzard, who died last week, aged 69, after a long battle with cancer.Peter Tobin Funerals managing director Peter Murnane said the funeral was one of the largest held in Ballarat in recent times.As well as a strong local attendance, many past students and work colleagues travelled great distances to attend.Well known in Ballarat for his civic work, such as Terrestrial, Stone Garden Journey the Ex-Pow memorial, and the Moorabool Earth Totem at Ballan, Mr Blizzard also enjoyed international acclaim.Son Andrew Blizzard spoke for the family in a moving eulogy that told of the warmth and love his father brought to their family.He said his father was a man who showed love with ease and expressed himself with "no doubts or hidden agendas"."He was an incredible communicator in so many ways," Mr Blizzard said, describing the way his father expressed himself verbally, physically and with the powerful symbols he used in his art.He talked of the creative optimism that had inspired 20 years of Ballarat art students, and the wonderful civic legacy he leaves behind.Reading a eulogy for his mother Liz Blizzard, Mr Blizzard spoke of his father's strong and enduring relationship with his mother, who he said described her husband as "just a beautiful man".Peter Blizzard is survived by his wife Liz, children Andrew, Tony and Paul, their partners Kylie, Andy and Nicki, and several grandchildren.