A traditional Catholic memorial service followed after Rene-Charles and Angelil’s son Patrick welcomed the crowd of mourners, each delivering their own touching eulogies. He died on January 14 after a long battle with cancer. “You had a busy life, but we were communicating through golf, hockey, poker and smoked meat”, René-Charles Angélil said, sharing a quick laugh with his mother who looked on from the front pew. Angélil’s funeral service takes place Friday. “Dad, I promise you here that we’re all going to live up to your standards”.
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The government of Quebec province had offered to hold a “national” funeral – akin to a state funeral – for Angelil.
Dion arrived at the Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica, holding the couple’s five-year-old twin sons Eddy and Nelson by the hand.
Rene-Charles wore a dark suit and his mother, Celine, 47, wore a black fur coat and a customary black veil over her face.
The religious service began at 3 p.m. and was livestreamed so fans around the world could say goodbye to the music manager, who passed away from cancer earlier this month.
Couillard previously announced the flag at the legislature would fly at half-mast Friday.
Hundreds of people reported lined up at Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica to pay their respects on Thursday afternoon and Dion was there to greet each and every one of them.
Dion is expected to be at the Basilica at the beginning of the visitation, and again near the end. She canceled two shows last week following Angelil’s death; she’s now set to return to Caesars Palace in late February.
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The premier called Dion’s global success a source of pride for Quebec and noted Angelil was there to help develop her career.
