'A painful farewell': Quebecers from all walks of life mourn Serge Laprade

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On Thursday morning, numerous testimonies followed on the Internet to pay tribute to the presenter and singer Serge Laprade, who lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday at the age of 83.

“A chic gentleman who was as smiling and gregarious behind the cameras as he was on TV,” said journalist and TV presenter Guy Bolduc on the X platform.

Until the end, the 83-year-old host would be well surrounded and accompanied by his husband Daniel Arsenault, whom he married in 2023 after 50 years of living together, emphasized his friend, the author and journalist Jocelyne Cazin. on Facebook.

“Great sadness this morning. […] I offer my deepest condolences to him, his family, his friends and his fans. Truly a painful farewell,” she wrote on Facebook.

It's not just the art community that is mourning the artist's death this morning, several Internet users who knew the man through his charitable work also wanted to write a few words in his honor.

Listen to the touching interview with Daniel Arsenault, husband of Serge Laprade, on Richard Martineau's show QUB:

For Marie J. Lévesque, who worked for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Quebec from 1977 to 1986, the presenter was a “great defender of people with disabilities” at a time “when everything had to be done to make Quebec an inclusive society close”. .

For Marie J. Lévesque, who would have worked for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Quebec from 1977 to 1986, the presenter was a “great defender of people with disabilities” at a time “when everything needed to be fixed.” Making Quebec an inclusive society.

“Having had the privilege of seeing him volunteer for this cause, his departure is significant for many people whose quality of life has been improved by his involvement. […] We will be remembered with gratitude for this remarkable human commitment,” she added on Facebook.

“I have never heard Serge Laprade speak against anyone, and yet he was stabbed. He was a deeply kind and humane guy,” said QUB presenter and columnist Gilles Proulx, paying tribute to him on Thursday.

Much more than a singer and presenter

As for politicians, the former mayor of Montreal got the ball rolling by thanking his friend “for everything.”

“Serge Laprade left us after joining the #@#$!&%#!! Cancer at age 83. […] I extend my sincere condolences to all of Serge's relatives, fans and family members. Hello my friend and thank you for everything,” Denis Coderre wrote on Facebook.

The leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly of Quebec, Marc Tanguay, also responded to X, emphasizing that Serge Laprade is “so much more” than a singer and presenter. “[Il] Shaped by generations and loved by all,” said Mr. Tanguay.

“With his catchy songs, his variety shows, including the famous 'Garden Party', and his rich career, Serge Laprade has made a great contribution to Quebec's popular culture,” wrote Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.

The Bloc Québécois also paid tribute to the singer and presenter, “a figure loved and appreciated by Quebecers for years.” “[Il] will have been one of our many television events, including “Work on the Line” and “Garden Party” as well as several telethons,” reads on social media.

Prime Minister François Legault added his voice to the numerous testimonies on the death of Serge Laprade. “He was a host and singer beloved by many Quebecers. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” his page reads