CLEVELAND — Gerald Levert’s sendoff was tearful — and exuberant.“When I came here, I expected to mourn,” Usher told thousands of fans who filled most of Public Hall for Friday’s three-hour memorial service for Levert, who died November 10. Instead, he said: “I actually cried tears of joy.”

Stevie Wonder, Levert’s father, Eddie Levert of the O’Jays, and Levert’s music collaborator and brother, Sean Levert, led the audience in a cheering, foot-stomping, hand-clapping combination of memories, music and religious fervour.

“You all really don’t know how big his heart was,” said Eddie Levert.

He joined Sean for the heart-tugging highlight, singing “Dance With My Father” with father and brother personalising the words for Gerald.

Levert’s framed picture was displayed on the stage and his father kissed the image to cap a thunderous version of his son’s signature hit, “Casanova,” performed with Sean and Gerald’s LSG partners, Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill.

Wonder said he was thankful for Levert’s gifts, especially his trademark message of love.

“I’m here for you, Gerald, because I love you,” said Wonder, clasping the hand of Eddie Levert, who sniffed back tears. “I’m here to celebrate my love.”

Eddie Levert said performing was Gerald’s great love. “That came from his heart, his soul, his whole body,” the father said.

Celebrities at the service included Usher, rapper-producer Jermaine Dupri, singer Angela Winbush, journalist Ed Gordon, and the main eulogist, Judge Greg Mathis.

Usher, speaking with reporters before the service, said Levert was always willing to encourage up-and-coming talent.

“He was like an uncle or a brother,” he said.

Levert died at his suburban Cleveland home at 40. A preliminary autopsy showed he had heart disease.