(Montreal) The funeral of firefighter Pierre Lacroix, who died during a rescue operation last week, will be held Friday at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. The day before, the public will be able to pay homage to Mr. Lacroix, who will be exhibited in a fiery chapel at the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal.
Thursday, the Ardent Chapel will be held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal, located at 200 rue de la Commune Ouest, formerly the Alexandra Pier. The official ceremony to honor Mr. Lacroix, a 58-year-old father, will take place on Friday at noon. Before this, a procession of firefighters will head from the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal to the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. In order to allow as many people as possible to attend the funeral, they will be broadcast live on the City of Montreal’s YouTube account, on giant screens at Place d’Armes, as well as in a room at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. .
“It is with great sorrow that we will pay tribute to our deceased colleague, the firefighter Pierre Lacroix, jointly declared Mr. Richard Liebmann, Director of the Montreal Fire Department (SIM) and Mr. Chris Ross, President of the Association. of the Montreal firefighters (APM). The values carried by SIM staff and members of the MPA, including mutual aid and courage, will be essential in the days and weeks to come for the entire fire safety community. ”
On the evening of October 17, Pierre Lacroix was aboard the capsized fire boat attempting to rescue two boaters aboard a boat adrift in the Lachine rapids. The others were saved, but Mr. Lacroix got stuck under the boat. After being located during the night and having been extirpated after a risky operation, the firefighter was transported to Verdun hospital where he was pronounced dead.