Funeral services were held Monday for MTA bus driver Edwin Thomas, who was stabbed to death in Bedford-Stuyvesant last week after denying a fare-beater a free transfer.

Hundreds of bus drivers lined the street for the dramatic send off in Cambria Heights, Queens.

The funeral procession was led by bagpipes and trailed by an out-of-service bus, honoring Thomas' seven years of service as a bus operator.

As Thomas' casket passed by, the drivers fell silent and saluted their co-worker.

During the funeral Mass, Thomas, 46, was described by family members as a "devoted family man" who "lived a joyful life."

"He had a smile you could see coming down the block," said friend Sonja Occident. "You didn't need to talk to him for him to smile. I'd say, 'Edwin, why you keep that smile?' He said, 'That's what keeps me going.' So, he will be missed."

"Edwin is one of the best people you could have as a co-worker," said colleague Jose Lugo. "I can't imagine what the family is going through, because he is the hardest working individual. He encouraged me. He said, don't mess with other jobs. Transit is giving you an opportunity to make money; you come and work."

Transit leaders said that part of Thomas' legacy will be a more secure and safer environment for bus operators.

"It's a very dangerous job, it's a very stressful job," said Transit Workers Union Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Ed Watt. "In addition to the attacks, there's a prevalence of cardiovascular disease and other factors that just imperil the health of bus operators and we're going to do everything possible to make this a safer Make this a safer job."

Edwin was to be laid to rest Monday evening in Port Washington, Long Island.

He is survived by his wife and two teenaged children.

According to police, suspect Horace Moore has confessed to the crime. He is being held without bail and faces second-degree murder charges.