At L’Assomption, several thousand people came to the heart of the city to sing and honor the memory of Karl Tremblay. They were treated to an unexpected surprise: two members of the Cowboys Fringants came to greet them and thank them briefly.
Indeed, Jean-François Pauzé and Marie-Annick Lépine, both residents of L’Assomption, arrived around 8 p.m. in an unmarked car. Seeing them take the stage, the crowd exploded. The lights, candles and lanterns held at arm’s length quickly formed a sea of fireflies which surged from the stage to the street. Spectators cried. Others shouted, “We love you!” »
“Thank you so much on behalf of Karl! launched Jean-François Pauzé. Karl was a humble and modest person and he would have been the first to be surprised by all this love. It is very beautiful. »
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Marie-Annick Lépine and Jean-François Pauzé
Marie-Annick Lépine, Karl Tremblay’s partner, also spoke. “My man, our great Karl Tremblay was extremely kind. He thought of others and was always in a good mood. He was an exceptional being. He was a sensitive man who allowed himself to cry, especially when faced with the beauty and happiness of happy people. He said that it was the beauty of the world that we should be ecstatic about. »
She added that the singer wanted to be buried at L’Assomption, “where he spent the best years of his life.”
She also explained that she composed a Christmas song for the group of little choristers that she leads, a song that she played to her partner on Monday. “It was the last tear he shed. He said to me: “It’s the most beautiful Christmas song I’ve heard.” » She hopes to be able to record this song by the end of December. “I would like the money raised [avec cette chanson] used for cancer research,” she said before thanking the hospital staff who supported them over the past four years.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Marie-Annick Lépine
For his part, Jean-François Pauzé wanted to thank the City of L’Assomption which decided to rename its public square. It will be called Place Karl-Tremblay. “He deserves it in tabarnak!” “, exclaimed the musician.
The two Fringants Cowboys then left under police escort, not without receiving a few hugs from crying people.
A ceremony prepared in one day
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
The mayor of L’Assomption, Sébastien Nadeau
It was after receiving a video of the crowd singing in chorus in the first minutes of the ceremony that Jean-François Pauzé and Marie-Annick Lépine decided to join the event. The mayor of L’Assomption, Sébastien Nadeau, had the flair to send them the images.
This surprise visit was the highlight of a day full of emotions for the mayor and the public works team who managed to organize this ceremony in less than 24 hours.
Wednesday evening, I found myself in front with around sixty citizens for an impromptu ceremony at the Old Courthouse. Many told me they needed something more. I contacted Marie-Annick, who gave me her agreement.
Sébastien Nadeau, mayor of L’Assomption
The mayor of Repentigny, Nicolas Dufour, also indicated to The Press that he was studying various scenarios to find a place which will also bear the name of Karl Tremblay “We want a place in his image and at his height,” indicated the man who once illegally entered the La Ripaille bar to attend Cowboys shows Dashing!
All generations united
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
In front of the stage set up on the new Place Karl-Tremblay, spectators of all ages began to gather at 5 p.m. Several wore sweaters in Cowboys colors, others were draped in fleur-de-lis.
“Karl Tremblay was the singer of our entire childhood,” said sisters Marina and Frédérique, lighting lanterns with their mother Julie. “He rallied everyone,” added the latter.
Not far from there, little Danaé, 5 years old, waved a blue and white flag while singing her favorite song with the crowd, Hector’s Shack. “She grew up with Les Cowboys,” said her mother Émilie.
A high school English teacher, Lizabel Nitoi arrived in L’Assomption from her native Romania 34 years ago. “For me, The Cowboys represent the culture of Quebec, its freedom. Thank you to them for making me love Quebec even more,” she said before bursting into tears.
Between the group of firefighters who sang the song without a false note Like Joe Dassinthe teenage girls who consoled each other and the children who threw flowers on the stage as soon as Marie-Annick Lépine set foot there, the atmosphere was as much one of celebration as of contemplation.