Maxime Le Flaguais paid tribute to the household values he was left with in his first public look because the loss of life of his father, comic Michel Côté. “Let’s use humor to get by means of troublesome instances, to take care of grief and heartache,” he stated, peppering his speech with jokes and fond recollections.
• Additionally learn: The inhabitants invited to pay a closing tribute to Michel Côté
• Additionally learn: The inventive neighborhood mourns the lack of Michel Côté
Michel Côté’s son, Michel Le Flaguais, took the time to fulfill the journalists on this wet Thursday morning, an hour earlier than the opening of the burning chapel in honor of his well-known father on the Monument-Nationwide in Montreal. That is the primary time he has spoken publicly because the disappearance of his father, who died of bone marrow most cancers on Might 29 on the age of 72.
The actor acted as spokesman for the household. The latter, as we discovered this morning, held an intimate household funeral with 100 relations yesterday, Wednesday.
“My mom is doing effectively. It’s unbelievable what power this lady has. She’s an unbiased lady, so I’m not fearful about her,” a really beneficiant Maxime Le Flaguais replied when requested about his mom, actress Véronique Le Flaguais.
He didn’t fail to evoke the tenderness and love that his father felt for his mom all his life; a gorgeous tribute to the artist couple who’ve been collectively for greater than 50 years.
proof of affection
“Thanks for being right here, I take that as a token of affection in your half,” he advised press. My father was essential to me and to the folks of Quebec. The extra journalists there are, the extra we notice that the particular person was essential. »
Although he cracked a number of jokes and recounted some comical reminiscences, the actor confessed he’d by no means cried greater than he did in the course of the “tsunami” of tributes and messages of assist from folks within the public and inventive communities, right here and elsewhere, after his father’s loss of life.
“We knew we had a father like no different, however this tsunami hit us. My father died leaving us in a media storm and a love storm. Not on a rotten raft. It’s simply stunning, it was wonderful, I acquired so many testimonials from individuals who solely had good phrases for him. »
He’s the person behind the actor that folks have been keen on honoring ever since he left. And it’s the strongman who fought to the tip that his son wished to rejoice at Monument-Nationwide this morning.
The Final Moments
“It was troublesome to stability hope and despair. However there’s a nice staff that has supported him. When he was in palliative care, everybody who handled him got here to pay their respects. They stated: We come to see the person behind the well-known actor. »
With a barely damaged voice, Maxime Le Flaguais returned to the ultimate months of his father’s battle with bone marrow most cancers. This was given an opportunity of survival of 30 to 35%. He underwent a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy therapies, developed rejection signs, solely to be advised he solely had a month or two to stay.
“It’s fairly a illness! My father by no means complained about his ache. Unimaginable power! It was made from metal. In the long run he stopped crying, he was robust, robust, robust. He met his mom and his brothers, his grandchildren. My father spent an hour together with his grandchildren to show them about household values. It was an impressive second. »
The grandpa additionally spent about twenty minutes with Françoise, Maxime’s daughter, and his spouse, the actress Caroline Dhavernas, to say goodbye to him by stroking his hair earlier than lastly falling asleep.
“We’re not making ready, we’re simply listening and there,” the actor replied when requested how he ready for his father’s departure. You may’t put together for somebody’s loss of life. Whether or not father or mom, we now have two and each are injured. I hope that I can maintain my mom with me for a very long time. After we are with the sick particular person we attempt to be extra idealistic than real looking. »
Among the many many values the ‘Omerta’ and ‘La petite vie’ actor instills in his household, Maxime Le Flaguais talked about humor, curiosity and curiosity in others.
“He taught me to see the extraordinary within the atypical. He additionally taught me the right way to die. Die with dignity; robust and completely satisfied. On the finish he advised us that he was glad together with his life. »
What’s the biggest legacy of Michel Côté – who will probably be posthumously awarded the title of Knight of the Nationwide Order of Quebec on June 21 – to the folks of Quebec?
“He made her chuckle and he made her cry. However being an actor is far more than that. Broue and all his tasks are mirrors of society. It’s an essential job and my father did it so effectively. He was a fantastic actor, he was humorous and transferring. He might do something. »
- These wishing to say a closing farewell to Michel Côté can achieve this as we speak, Thursday 8 June, on the household’s Ardent Chapel. This takes place from 1pm to 5pm and 6pm to 9pm on the Monument-Nationwide in Montreal.