Jean Lapierre was remembered by friends, colleagues and family Saturday as a pundit who was at times in his commentary, but fair, a bridge-building lover of politics, a loyal friend and protector of those he loved, and a loving father and husband.
The former politician and political commentator, along with his wife Nicole Beaulieu, two brothers and sister died in a plane crash March 29. They were on their way to the Iles de la Madeleine to attend Lapierre's father's funeral.
Photos of Jean Lapierre and Nicole Beaulieu are seen at the memorial service at St. Viateur d'Outremont church in Outremont April 16, 2016. (Handout)
A funeral service for Lapierre, Beaulieu and Lapierre's brothers, sister and father was held last week in Bassin, in the Iles de la Madeleine, where the Lapierre family is from.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Philippe Couillard and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre were in attendance at the memorial for Lapierre and Beaulieu at the St. Viateur d'Outremont church in Outremont, part of the riding Lapierre represented as an MP. They were among many politicians, journalists and public figures who went to pay their respects.
During the ceremony, Lapierre's daughter Marie-Anne described her father as a man who refused to back down from challenges and injustice.
“He fought, and gave, to make a difference because he loved people,” she said.
With her brother Jean-Michel by her side, she told her dad they were proud to be his kids.
“The beacon has gone out, but its light is alive in us,” she said.
Marie-Anne Lapierre gives a eulogy as her brother Jean-Michel looks on during a memorial service for Jean Lapierre and Nicole Beaulieu Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Handout)
In his eulogy, Jean-Michel Lapierre spoke about his uncles, Marc, who was intelligent and devoted to his family, and Louis, who he described as a kid at heart, his "brilliant" aunt Martine and his "extraordinary, courageous" grandfather Raymond.
"A tragic and incomprehensible event ... took precious and irreplaceable people from us. In spite of that, we have to continue with the same energy and joie de vivre and the values they held, because that's what they would have done," he said.
Pierre Beaulieu paid tribute to his sister Nicole.
"Losing a sister, a friend, is a void we'll never be able to get over," he said.
Paul Larocque hosted a show with Lapierre on TVA called Larocque Lapierre. He said the day Lapierre died was the saddest day of his life.
"I have to learn to live Laroque without Lapierre, but I realized a few days ago, no way, that’s impossible. I can’t do it. There is too much Lapierre in me. I will bring [him] with me the rest of my life," he said.
Paul Larocque speaks at the memorial service for his friend and colleague Jean Lapierre and Lapierre's wife Nicole Beaulieu in Montreal Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Handout)
Radio host Paul Arcand, former prime minister Paul Martin and former premier Lucien Bouchard spoke at the memorial, which was open to the public. A violin quartet from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra also played at the church.
"There was nothing artificial about Jean. He was a real person who felt very strongly about everything," Martin said prior to the ceremony.
Hundreds of friends, media colleagues and politicians attended a visitation for Lapierre and Beaulieu Friday afternoon.
An outpouring of grief from all corners of Quebec society followed the news Lapierre was on the airplane that crashed.
"He was a fresh voice, and you could tell he didn't have any axe to grind or anything. We're missing him," said one man who attended the visitation.
PQ MNA Bernard Drainville said he misses starting his day with Lapierre's commentary, which often set the agenda for the day.
"The other difficult thing is to see the pictures of him with his grandchildren, you know, some of them are very very young so the only thing they are going to know about their grandfather is the stories we're going to tell about him. And we're going to have lots of good stories to tell about Jean Lapierre. He was a good man," he said.
