But, on a day when former teammates and friends talked about his humility and his generosity, the spirit of the occasion was reflected in the fans who gathered outside the church.
After tens of thousands viewed Lafleur’s casket as he lay in state at the Bell Centre on Sunday and Monday, the fans were able to participate in the funeral.
Giant screens were set up outside the church so fans could be included in the Quebec national funeral.
They were able to hear Geoff Molson, Yvan Cournoyer, Larry Robinson, Guy Carbonneau and Patrick Roy eulogize Lafleur.
They heard Ginette Reno perform an emotional rendition of L’Essentiel.
Four priests went to the street to distribute communion.
As the casket was loaded into the hearse, there were shouts of “Guy! Guy! Guy!” and Frank Sinatra’s voice belted out My Way, a fitting tribute to an athlete who did it his way. And, as the funeral procession left the church, family members were seen waving and blowing kisses to the crowd.
