The sun warmed the bereaved hearts of thousands of firefighters, especially from Montreal, but also from across North America, who came to pay a last tribute on Friday to Pierre Lacroix, who died rescuing two citizens in danger in the Lachine rapids on October 17.
After parading from the Old Port of Montreal behind a magnificent antique fire truck, the procession of relatives, colleagues and an honor guard arrived at Notre-Dame Basilica for the funeral ceremony.
It was rebroadcast on the big screen at the Place d’Armes, where the firefighters were gathered. Some 1,200 of them were there.
Inside, tributes evoking the courage and excellence of the deceased were numerous. Mayor Valérie Plante was the first to speak. “Mr. Lacroix’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. Today we are gathered inside this enclosure, and also outside, to pay a final tribute to a man who paid with his life to save the lives of others. It is the greatest, the most beautiful sacrifice. “
“He’s a hero”
The director of the Montreal Fire Department, Richard Liebmann, then spoke of the sense of service that animated the disappeared. “Pierre loved helping others and his final gesture, his ultimate gesture, was a gesture of helping people in danger. Firefighter Lacroix will be remembered forever, who died exactly as he lived: helping others. “
The vice-president of the Firefighters Association, Richard Lafortune, for his part spoke of the exemplary nature of the firefighter Lacroix. “Pierre represents what is great and good in our firefighters. He was among the best of them. He’s a hero. We will always remember and learn from the example he set. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his city and his community and all will be eternally grateful to him. “
But it was the words of his colleague Yannick Dion, surrounded by the entire team from Barracks 64, that most touched the audience. Mr. Dion described the deceased with great affection, telling a host of anecdotes which cheered up the family and friends together, pointing out all kinds of funny and unusual traits, such as this one: “Pierre could smoke a cigarette, slam two big plates of spaghetti, three Jos Louis, two maple bostons and then run 20 kilometers back home at night to stay in shape. “
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault and Ministers Chantal Rouleau, responsible for Montreal, and Ian Lafrenière, a former Montreal police officer, as well as Lieutenant Governor Michel Doyon.
The family, relatives and thousands of firefighters who came to pay him this last tribute then gathered at the Palais des congrès to share a meal.
A dangerous and heroic gesture that saved two lives
Pierre Lacroix, who was 58 years old, was married and the father of two children.
He was one of four firefighters on a boat that capsized on October 17 when trying to help a couple in another boat in distress in the Lachine Rapids area on the river.
While the others were all rescued, Pierre Lacroix died after getting stuck under the boat.
His body was located the night of the next day, October 18.