Dozens of people, many of whom wore yellow, came to show their affection and admiration for Jean-Pierre Ferland during the funeral ceremony organized in his honor on Friday. Several dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Quebec, François Legault, and the Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, also expressed their condolences to the family of the singer-songwriter who died on April 27 at the age of 89.
Jean-Pierre Ferland has sung 174 times at Place des Arts in his career, including 137 at Salle Maisonneuve. It is therefore there, in the Jean-Gascon home, that his urn was exhibited on Friday, surrounded by yellow flowers –– including roses which were created in his name -, some of his many Félixes, his guitar and family photos.
The funeral service began at 10 a.m. and several people were already lining up when the doors opened. But first it was the politicians who met Jean-Pierre Ferland’s large family: spouse, children, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
François Legault and his wife Isabelle Brais met the family of Jean-Pierre Ferland, including his niece Ginette Ferland.
“It was important to come and meet the family of Jean-Pierre Ferland, this great Quebecer,” declared Prime Minister François Legault at a press briefing. “We saw a united family, a beautiful family, full of beautiful memories. »
François Legault spoke about the release of the album YELLOW, which he remembers, and which he listened to on repeat at the time. “I was 13, and the song The little king, “Hey, gumball, would you have become a man, that was it, when we go from adolescence to adulthood! And obviously, I would have dreamed of writing her love songs for Isabelle, whether A chance we have Or You are beautiful. »
Today, on behalf of the Quebec nation, I want to say thank you, Jean-Pierre, for what you have done. All these years, you have made us vibrate, dream, and it would not have been the same without you.
François Legault, Premier of Quebec
The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, found it “touching” that the ardent chapel took place at Place des Arts, in Montreal, the city where Jean-Pierre Ferland was born.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, met members of Jean-Pierre Ferland’s family. In the background, Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe.
“I have just met the family, I took the opportunity to thank them for their generosity, for having accepted the offer from the Prime Minister of Quebec Mr. Legault to hold a national funeral, and for having this chapel held ardent,” she said at a press briefing.
“I find it generous, because it is demanding for a family. But we love Jean-Pierre, and we wanted to pay a final tribute to Mr. Ferland. »
Like many people, his favorite Jean-Pierre Ferland album is YELLOW, which she says she listened to a lot in the car with the children. But she recalls that not only was the singer important for Montreal and Quebec, he was also important for the entire French-speaking world.
When we think as a people how we want to shine, in our beautiful language, Jean-Pierre Ferland is a great person who has made French, and our French, travel all over the world.
Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal
After the visit of the dignitaries, the public was able to begin to come and greet Jean-Pierre Ferland. There were already several dozen of them, but the first in line since at least 9:30 a.m.: Louis Théberge, who arrived from La Pocatière on Thursday evening. “He was very important in my life, I loved his lyrics, he had such a beautiful writing style”, told us the man who saw Jean-Pierre Ferland many times on stage, including his famous farewell show at the Bell Center in 2001.
“If an artist you like is performing in your area, go see them,” he said, very moved. Tomorrow he may no longer be there. »
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Louis Théberge came from La Pocatière to pay tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Responding to the family’s invitation, many people wore yellow, in reference to Jean-Pierre Ferland’s most famous album.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The yellow urn, surrounded by some of the numerous awards received by Jean-Pierre Ferland during his career.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The call for yellow was followed by many people.
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For sisters Renée and Sylvie Morissette, who live in the Montreal region, it was important to come and pay tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland on Friday.
“Jean-Pierre, it’s Jean-Pierre. It’s all of our youth. It’s normal that we’re here, we can’t miss it! Just coming here is a big emotion. Tomorrow we’re going to watch the funeral, we won’t miss it, ever! »
Public love
A large part of Jean-Pierre Ferland’s family received condolences from the public. “It’s a lot of emotion,” Julie Anne Saumur, Jean-Pierre Ferland’s partner of 16 years, told us. The singer, who performed a lot on stage with him, admits that she believed him to be “eternal”.
“He left quickly. I did not expect that. I told myself Jean-Pierre, he is so strong, he will never go away. »
Did she expect so many people to come to the chapel? ” Maybe yes. He is loved so much. People tell me about their love for him, how they listened to his music over and over. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Jean-Pierre Ferland’s partner of 16 years, Julie Anne Saumur, received very moving testimonies.
Julie Anne Saumur did not hesitate long when the proposal to hold a national funeral came from François Legault. But she is convinced that Jean-Pierre Ferland would be “surprised by all the love that Quebec gives him”.
“He was always insecure, he thought people didn’t like him that much. Even me, he always asked me: do you love me? I reassured him, I made incredible statements… He said OK at first. »
Jean-Pierre Ferland’s niece, Ginette Ferland, also believes that he would be as surprised as he is happy to receive so much love. She remembers how her uncle was happy during the inauguration of the Place des Fleurs-de-Macadam, created in his honor on the Plateau Mont-Royal on the exact spot where the family garage was located, where all the Ferland children were born.
“He was happy about that. What touches me today is that he wasn’t even sure if he would be remembered. I think he would be surprised, with the state funeral and the Prime Minister and everything. »
The close family gathered last Saturday in Saint-Norbert in Lanaudière, where Jean-Pierre Ferland had lived for 50 years. An intimate and comforting ceremony, which took place in the church that he helped to save around fifteen years ago, and which bears the name of the Jean-Pierre Ferland Cultural Space.
“We needed to see each other as a family, to relax and be together, before all the protocol,” says Ginette Ferland.
National funeral
The national funeral will take place on Saturday at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral Basilica. Paul Dupont-Hébert, manager and friend of Jean-Pierre Ferland for decades, has been part of all the discussions around the organization for a month.
“A state funeral, what that means is that it’s no longer a funeral that belongs to you,” he explains. They belong to Quebec. That said with all respect for Mr. Legault’s unavoidable invitation. It involves the protocol people, the government, who are so kind, efficient and respectful. It was a precious moment of collaboration. »
He too is convinced that Jean-Pierre Ferland would be proud and happy that such a celebration was organized around him. Paul Dupont-Hébert recalls how much the singer loved people, how he loved talking to them, and how he loved life in general. “His song that says “At 100 miles an hour on Highway 11/Undressed in a 750 cc” That’s Jean-Pierre. He lived intensely. He loved everything, very much. He knew all the trees on his property by their first name! »
He smiles, looking tired. “After that, there are several of us who will need some peace and quiet. But we will see each other again. It creates connections. What you have to remember is that you have to appreciate the people you love when they are there. »
The national funeral of Jean-Pierre Ferland, which will take place at the Marie-Reine-du-Monde cathedral basilica at 11 a.m., will be broadcast live on TVA and Radio-Canada.
Sign the register of condolences for Jean-Pierre Ferland