National funeral in Montreal for Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur
Former hockey stars, politicians, and hundreds of fans gathered in Montreal Tuesday for the national funeral for Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur.
The hockey great died April 22 of lung cancer and was laid to rest at the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in downtown Montreal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet and former Habs players like Serge Savard and Larry Robinson are among the special guests who are paying their respects.
"Today's a day to say thank you to Guy Lafleur for everything he gave us over so many years, all the wins, all the inspiration, the incredible games he played, but also his deep humanity. His contributions to the world around him were legendary and an inspiration to us all," the prime minister said before entering the church.
As the casket was carried into the church, fans lining the street chanted "Guy, Guy Guy" and applauded the hockey hero.
At the ceremony's opening, Montreal Canadiens CEO Geoff Molson shared a tribute to the hockey star in the packed cathedral.
"When he walked into a room, jaws dropped. Cameras came out for selfies. And people immediately started searching for Sharpies, and a piece of paper for his autograph. And there was never a time when anyone in that room didn't get that selfie or that signature," Molson said.
"People realized that he was not only a superstar, Hall of Fame hockey player, but also a warm, humble and normal human being with an outstanding sense of humour."
Fans stand outside the funeral of hockey great Guy Lafleur at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, Tuesday May 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Former Canadiens goaltender Patrick Roy also paid his respects to Number 10, speaking of the first time he met Lafleur in the dressing room.
"When I went to the change room for my very first practice with the Canadiens I took the full measure of the hero that stood in front of me, the stature, his presence, charisma. Number 10 was dressed in five minutes and, intimidated, impressed, I was living in a surreal moment," Roy recalled.
"Before exiting, he hit my pads and said, 'Hey kid, welcome to the Canadiens.' Because that's Guy Lafleur. He's all heart, profound respect, and boundless generosity. This is the guy who takes the time because a few words make all the difference. It's his way of saying now we're in the same team, that I'll be there for you now even if they shoot on you non-stop in the next minutes."
The casket of Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur, who passed away last week, is carried into the church for funeral services Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at Mary Queen of the World cathedral in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
At the podium, Larry Robinson, who played 17 seasons with Habs, described Lafleur as an "irreplaceable" man who instilled a philosophy of playing every game as if it were the last one.
The Hall of Famer said Number 10 lived his life to his fullest both on and off the ice.
"We lost two very special people this past week to cancer. Mike Bossy and Guy Lafleur and heaven has them now. And it is my hope and my prayer that they're not looking for a big defenceman just yet," Robinson said.
Lafleur's son, Martin, also eulogized his father, whom he described as an "exceptional" man who was proud of his family and wanted nothing but the best for them.
"My father wasn't perfect, but he did everything he could to make us happy," Martin said. "Thank you for all the values you gave us."
Quebec singer Ginette Reno performed "L'Esssentiel" during the ceremony as fans watched on large television screens outside the church.
Over the past two days, thousands of fans have visited the Bell Centre to pay tribute to the NHL Hall of Famer, as he was lying in state.
The ceremony, presided by Monsignor Christian Lépine, ended with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" playing as fans once again clapped their hands as the casket was escorted into the hearse. As people filed out of the cathedral, CF-18s roared overhead in a fly past to mark the end of the national funeral.
Nicknamed "the Flower" and "Le Demon Blond" in French, Lafleur was a five-time Stanley Cup champion, having played for the Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques.
The Canadiens hockey club said in a statement the Lafleur family accepted a national funeral as a way to share its grief with the community out of respect for the public who have supported Lafleur over the years.
Lafleur is survived by his wife, Lise, his sons, Martin and Mark, his mother, Pierrette Lafleur, his granddaughter, Sienna-Rose, and his sisters, Lise, Gisèle, Suzanne and Lucie.
-- With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Montreal's Selena Ross
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.