A funeral service took place Friday for Jean Lapierre, his wife, three of his siblings and his father in the Iles de la Madeleine.
The service for the political commentator and former MP, his wife Nicole Beaulieu, his father, his two brothers and one of his sisters took place in Bassin, the Lapierre hometown on the island.
Lapierre, his wife Nicole Beaulieu, his two brothers Marc and Louis and his sister Martine died in a plane crash last Tuesday in the Îles de la Madeleine. They were on their way to Lapierre's father Raymond's funeral, who had died several days earlier.
The entire community is rallying around the family that lost six people; a steady stream of mourners paid their respects Thursday at a visitation at the funeral home, but also at city hall a book of condolences for the community to sign had been arranged. The book has been filled with heartwarming messages of support for the family.
On Friday, the church was filled to hear Laure, Lapierre's oldest surviving sister, express her thanks for the love and tenderness shown throughout this ordeal.
Jean Lapierre's daughter Marie-Anne also spoke at the service and delivered one of the more emotional tributes.
"Papa, you would often say it is in troubled waters you can recognize real sailors," said Marie-Anne Lapierre. "You were, and will forever be, our beacon. Despite the troubled waters, we promise to be real sailors."
Another service for Jean Lapierre, 59, and Beaulieu will be held in Montreal April 16.
Father Claude Gosselin, one of two priests who presided over the funeral service Friday, said the family is full of gratitude to the outpouring of compassion and love from the community.
Lapierre’s mother Lucie Cormier told him at least her husband passed away before the death of four of their children because she didn't think he would be able to go on after such a terrible tragedy.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the crash, which also killed pilots Pascal Gosselin and Fabrice Labourel.
Gosselin's funeral will be held near Montreal on Saturday, while details for Labourel's funeral are not known.
- with files from The Canadian Press
