Quebecers pay a last tribute to the popular comedian Michel Côté, who died on May 29. The mythical actor is exposed this Thursday in the burning chapel, in the company of his family.
His son, Maxime LeFlaguais, solemnly appeared before the press the day after the intimate funeral, and before the start of the funeral ceremony at the Monument-National.
“He did not suffer,” breathed Maxime LeFlaguais. “He taught me how to die. That’s what he left me as a great legacy at that time. Die with dignity, strong, happy. He left super proud of us. »
Himself an actor, sweating the charisma of his father, Maxime LeFlaguais could not refrain from pouring into the humor that characterizes his family. “He didn’t ask for a state funeral – my father would surely have preferred that money to go to health and education,” he said, a smile in his bereaved voice.
The Quebec parliament will still place its flag at half mast for the actor born in 1950. Michel Côté will also be decorated with the rank of knight of the National Order of Quebec posthumously, on June 21.
What is the key to Michel Côté’s success? A reporter popped the question.
” Her body “joked his son tit for tat. “I saw pictures of him at 40… He was well built. I kinda envy my pops. »
More seriously, “he learned to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And in people who consider themselves extraordinary, there are often very ordinary things. And then he had the artist’s eye. “He had an overall vision of the project and the directors, the producers felt it. They used it. »
Without forgetting the social role of the actor, a great legacy of the actor.
“Was the last movie good, not good?” It’s more than that. Actors form a mirror of our society. All the projects that artists do, what craftsmen do, is a mirror for the people. So that they can laugh at its faults or savor its qualities. »
“A part of Quebec leaves with him”
“A part of Quebec goes with him,” drops Lise Thériault, who came to pay a last tribute to the actor she loved so much. “It was a monument. He made us laugh, cry too, ”she said before stifling a sob. “Quebec needs that. His humanity pierced the screen. »
Like her, dozens of people crowded around the National Monument to offer their condolences to the family gathered in front of the closed coffin.
“I’ve met him before. He was so charming, so kind. Not a snob for 5 cents. He was like a brother, a cousin. He touched us in everything he did,” sighs Marise Brault, met in line.
The public is invited to pay these last tributes to Michel Côté at the Monument National this Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.