(Montreal) The private funeral of actor, singer and senator Jean Lapointe is celebrated this Saturday at the Saint-Viateur church in Outremont.
Family, friends and dignitaries attend the funeral ceremony, which will be broadcast on television shortly after 11 a.m. Public figures, such as singer Marie-Élaine Thibert and actor Benoît Brière, will pay their last respects to Mr. Lapointe, and actor Frayne McCarthy will perform some of the deceased’s favorite songs.
Several politicians, current or retired, were there, including the former Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien, who had appointed him senator.
Quebec Premier François Legault spoke briefly to the media upon his arrival at the church.
“For me, it was important to be here today. Jean Lapointe was an exceptional artist who had all the talents,” he said, giving an overview of his career both on stage and on screen, then in politics.
“The older ones like me remember it, the Jérolas. He made us laugh […] Songs also afterwards in solo which marked Quebec. who does not know sing your song ? “, he continued.
Jean-Pierre Ferland, Benoît Brière, Louise Latraverse, Winston McQuade and Claude Meunier are just a few of the figures from the art scene who were also at the packed church for this ultimate tribute to Jean Lapointe.
Mr. Legault also referred to Duplessisa series that marked Quebec television, in which Jean Lapointe played the title role.
“He also fought against prejudice, including alcoholism […], he confessed. He created Maison Jean-Lapointe. Afterwards, as a senator, he fought against video devices, so there are millions of Quebecers who say a big thank you to him today”.
The Quebec flag was lowered to half-mast on the central tower of the Parliament Building for the occasion.
Jean Lapointe was known, among other things, for his talents as an actor, singer and comedian, as well as for his involvement in the fight against addiction and drug addiction. He also served in the Canadian Senate for almost 10 years.
Thursday evening, the population was able to pay their last respects to him during a burning chapel organized by the family in the Saint-Viateur church in Outremont. A few hundred admirers came to honor his memory, as well as some of his colleagues, such as former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney.
This article was produced with the financial support of the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.