Quebecers pay respects to Jean-Pierre Ferland ahead of national funeral
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Julie-Anne Saumur said she felt overwhelmed as people from all over Quebec and Canada lined up to say one last goodbye to her late husband, singer-songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland, at the Théâtre Maisonneuve in Montreal's Place des Arts Friday.
The singer died on April 27 at age 89, and is lying in state today ahead of his national funeral tomorrow.
"I can't believe it," said Saumur. "He was always scared not to be loved, you know, because he wanted to be loved and now if he sees this … he wouldn't even realize how much everybody loves him, how much of a poet he was and a great singer. It's beautiful."
The couple spent 16 years doing everything together, remembers Saumur.
"It's a big part of me that's gone," she said.
People wishing to pay Ferland homage can sign a book of condolence between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Foyer Jean-Gascon.
Stéphanie Caisse was there this morning. She's in Montreal from Cyprus visiting family and decided to pay her respects to the singer, who she keeps in her heart especially while abroad, she says.
A national funeral will be held for Jean-Pierre Ferland Saturday at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
"You just listen to his voice and it brings me back to my roots, to who I am. I'm a really proud Québécoise," she said.
The national funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral downtown Montreal, which will include musical performances and eulogies. There will be limited space available to members of the public. The provincial government is encouraging people to wear yellow in honour of Ferland's 1970 album Jaune.
The Quebec flag will also fly at half-mast at the National Assembly beginning at dawn Saturday.
Born and raised in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, Ferland wrote over 450 songs and released some 30 albums.
He won multiple awards and accolades over a career spanning over six decades including Knight of the Order of Quebec, Officer of the Order of Canada and his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
