For a second consecutive day, thousands of people came to the Bell Center on Monday to say thank you to Guy Lafleur and his family, while being able to live one last moment with the idol of a people.
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“It was important to say thank you to his family. We told him thank you for allowing us to go and collect ourselves in front of Mr. Lafleur’s coffin,” explained Lucie Nault.
“All their lives, they shared their father and their husband with Quebecers. It’s very generous of them to give us that time,” added the woman who traveled from Maniwaki with her spouse to come to the Ardent Chapel.
A few moments after leaving the Bell Center, Jacques Martel also highlighted the gesture of the family of the famous number 10.
“I thanked his wife and one of his sons for allowing us to experience this moment.”
The 66-year-old also took the time to have one last moment with the man who impressed him with his talent on the ice surface.
“I got my hands on the coffin and left it for a long time. I spoke to him a little and I thanked him for all the emotions he made us live.
Admiring even if they haven’t seen him play
It wasn’t just people who had seen Lafleur at work who wanted to say a last goodbye to him.
Aged 29, Geneviève Deschês could not imagine being anywhere else on this Monday in May.
“My parents passed on the love of hockey to me and Guy Lafleur was my mother’s idol. I am here to honor him on my behalf and that of my parents. We are living in a historic moment. He is someone who has done a lot for the Quebec identity. It’s the least we can do to pay tribute to Guy Lafleur.”
For his part, Jean-Michel Auger wanted to share this moment of meditation with his son Jackson, who is old enough to attend primary school.
“We will never see Guy Lafleur again, and our children will not have the chance to see an athlete have such a big impact on Quebec society. I wanted to share this moment with him.”
close to people
Many have also highlighted Lafleur’s approach with his audience.
“In addition to being an exceptional hockey player, he was a human close to people, expressed Jocelyn Carle, who crossed paths with the Blond Demon a few times.
“I saw him give a lot of his time to young people who never saw him play. He took his time to allow people to live a moment with him.
“He was a humble man who wasn’t afraid to take time with people. He’s a people’s guy and a real champion,” said Michel Poirier.
– Deceased on April 22 from lung cancer, Guy Lafleur will have a state funeral this Tuesday at the Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral.