“Worthy, strong and happy” in the face of death, Michel Côté continues to be showered with love by the people of Quebec. Dozens of admirers paid their final respects to the popular comedian, who died on May 29, on Thursday. The mythical actor was exhibited in the burning chapel, accompanied by his close family.
His son Maxime LeFlaguais solemnly introduced himself to the press the day after the intimate funeral and before the start of the funeral ceremony at Monument-National.
“He didn’t suffer,” Maxime LeFlaguais breathed. “He taught me how to die. That’s what he left me as a great legacy back then. Die with dignity, strong, happy. He told us that he was satisfied with his life. […] He left us super proud. »
Maxime LeFlaguais, himself an actor and inherited his father’s charisma, could not resist indulging in the humor that characterizes his family. “He didn’t ask for a state funeral – my father would certainly have preferred to put the money into health and education,” he said with a smile in his mournful voice.
The Quebec Parliament will continue to fly its flag at half-mast for the 1950-born actor. Michel Côté is posthumously awarded the rank of Knight of the National Order of Quebec on June 21.
What is the key to Michel Côté’s success? A reporter asked the question.
“His body,” his son joked. “I saw pictures of him when he was 40… He was well built. I kind of envy my dads. »
Seriously: “He learned to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And with people who think they are extraordinary, there are often very ordinary things. And then he had the artist’s eye. “He had a broad vision of the project and the directors and producers felt that. you used it »
Without forgetting the social role of the actor, a great legacy of the actor.
“Was the last movie good, wasn’t it good?” It’s more than that. Actors are a mirror of our society. All projects that artists do, what craftsmen do, are a mirror for the people. So that they can laugh at his flaws or enjoy his qualities. »
“A part of Quebec goes with him”
“A part of Quebec accompanies him,” says Lise Thériault, an amateur who came to pay a final tribute to the actor she loved so much. “It was a memorial. He made us laugh and cry,” she said before stifling a sob. “Quebec needs this. His humanity suffused the screen. »
Like her, dozens of people crowded around the Monument-National to express their condolences to the family who had gathered in front of the closed coffin. A Lac St Jean flag completed the decoration for the deceased from Alma.
“I’ve met him before. He was so charming, so nice. No snob for five cents. He was like a brother, a cousin. He touched us in everything he did,” sighs Marise Brault, waiting in line.
The public is invited to pay this final tribute to Michel Côté this Thursday from 1pm to 5pm and from 6pm to 9pm at the Monument-National.