Luc Lang
luclang@qctonline.com

Fans of Guy Lafleur paid their final respects to the former Quebec Rempart and Montreal Canadien at the Bell Centre in Montreal before he was taken to his final resting place.

Lafleur, 70, died on April 22 after a brief battle with lung cancer.

The Montreal Canadiens, for whom Lafleur played for over 14 years, with the approval of his wife Lise Barré, organized a public wake so fans of the former No. 10, could pay their respects.

Thousands of people lined up inside the Bell Centre to pay homage to Lafleur. The closed casket, with a large arrangement of white flowers on top, was surrounded by the trophies that the native of Thurso, Quebec, won during his illustrious career. The Stanley Cup was front and centre, flanked by the Art-Ross Trophy (top scorer), the Ted- Lindsay Trophy (Most Valuable Player as voted by the players), the Hart Trophy (the league’s Most Valuable Player), and the Conn-Smythe Trophy (playoff Most Valuable Player).

The Montreal Canadiens had lowered the number 10 banner, for Lafleur’s retired jersey, and displayed two large photos of Le Démon Blond in his Montreal years.

Politicians, as well as former and current Montreal Canadiens players, paid their respects to Guy Lafleur. Quebec Premier François Legault, accompanied by his wife Isabelle Brais, was among the first guests to visit the casket and speak to Lafleur’s widow.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, along with former mayor Denis Coderre, also came to the Bell Centre to bid a final farewell to one of the city’s best ambassadors.

After two days of public visitations, the funeral was held at the Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde on May 3. Televised nationally, it was the last time fans could say goodbye to a very humble man who became a hockey legend.

Thanks for the memories, Guy. Rest in peace.