Former hockey stars, politicians, and a whole bunch of followers gathered in Montreal Tuesday for the nationwide funeral for Montreal Canadiens legend Man Lafleur.
The hockey nice died April 22 of lung most cancers and was laid to relaxation on the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in downtown Montreal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his spouse, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Bloc Quebecois chief Yves-François Blanchet and former Habs gamers like Serge Savard and Larry Robinson are among the many particular friends who're paying their respects.
"Immediately's a day to say thanks to Man Lafleur for the whole lot he gave us over so a few years, all of the wins, all of the inspiration, the unbelievable video games he performed, but additionally his deep humanity. His contributions to the world round him have been legendary and an inspiration to us all," the prime minister mentioned earlier than coming into the church.
Because the casket was carried into the church, followers lining the road chanted "Man, Man Man" and applauded the hockey hero.
On the ceremony's opening, Montreal Canadiens CEO Geoff Molson shared a tribute to the hockey star within the packed cathedral.
"When he walked right into a room, jaws dropped. Cameras got here out for selfies. And other people instantly began looking for Sharpies, and a bit of paper for his autograph. And there was by no means a time when anybody in that room did not get that selfie or that signature," Molson mentioned.
"Folks realized that he was not solely a famous person, Corridor of Fame hockey participant, but additionally a heat, humble and regular human being with an excellent sense of humour."
Followers stand exterior the funeral of hockey nice Man Lafleur at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, Tuesday Might 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Former Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy additionally paid his respects to Quantity 10, talking of the primary time he met Lafleur within the dressing room.
"After I went to the change room for my very first follow with the Canadiens I took the total measure of the hero that stood in entrance of me, the stature, his presence, charisma. Quantity 10 was wearing 5 minutes and, intimidated, impressed, I used to be residing in a surreal second," Roy recalled.
"Earlier than exiting, he hit my pads and mentioned, 'Hey child, welcome to the Canadiens.' As a result of that is Man Lafleur. He is all coronary heart, profound respect, and boundless generosity. That is the man who takes the time as a result of a number of phrases make all of the distinction. It is his method of claiming now we're in the identical group, that I will be there for you now even when they shoot on you continuous within the subsequent minutes."
The casket of Montreal Canadiens legend Man Lafleur, who handed away final week, is carried into the church for funeral companies Tuesday, Might 3, 2022 at Mary Queen of the World cathedral in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
On the podium, Larry Robinson, who performed 17 seasons with Habs, described Lafleur as an "irreplaceable" man who instilled a philosophy of taking part in each recreation as if it have been the final one.
The Corridor of Famer mentioned Quantity 10 lived his life to his fullest each on and off the ice.
"We misplaced two very particular individuals this previous week to most cancers. Mike Bossy and Man Lafleur and heaven has them now. And it's my hope and my prayer that they don't seem to be on the lookout for a giant defenceman simply but," Robinson mentioned.
Lafleur's son, Martin, additionally eulogized his father, whom he described as an "distinctive" man who was pleased with his household and needed nothing however one of the best for them.
"My father wasn't excellent, however he did the whole lot he might to make us glad," Martin mentioned. "Thanks for all of the values you gave us."
Quebec singer Ginette Reno carried out "L'Esssentiel" in the course of the ceremony as followers watched on massive tv screens exterior the church.
Over the previous two days, 1000's of followers have visited the Bell Centre to pay tribute to the NHL Corridor of Famer, as he was mendacity in state.
The ceremony, presided by Monsignor Christian Lépine, ended with Frank Sinatra's "My Manner" taking part in as followers as soon as once more clapped their palms because the casket was escorted into the hearse. As individuals filed out of the cathedral, CF-18s roared overhead in a fly previous to mark the top of the nationwide funeral.
Nicknamed "the Flower" and "Le Demon Blond" in French, Lafleur was a five-time Stanley Cup champion, having performed for the Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques.
The Canadiens hockey membership mentioned in an announcement the Lafleur household accepted a nationwide funeral as a technique to share its grief with the group out of respect for the general public who've supported Lafleur over time.
Lafleur is survived by his spouse, Lise, his sons, Martin and Mark, his mom, Pierrette Lafleur, his granddaughter, Sienna-Rose, and his sisters, Lise, Gisèle, Suzanne and Lucie.
-- With information from The Canadian Press and CTV Montreal's Selena Ross
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