Mourners who attended the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal to pay their respect to acclaimed music producer, Réne Angélil, were moved to tears during his eldest son’s heartfelt and impassioned eulogy.
Rene, who wed Canadian singer Celine Dion in 1994, lost his lengthy battle with cancer last week and was laid to rest on Friday following a moving ceremony in his hometown.
In front of hundreds of mourners, Réne and Celine’s son, Réne Charles, paid tribute to the man responsible for bringing Celine’s voice to a global stage, and ultimately making her a household name around the world.
According to Hello! magazine, Réne-Charles, who will turn 15 on his next birthday, lamented the short time he spent with his beloved father, saying “Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father.”
Despite Réne’s innumerable work commitments, his son insisted these factors did little to hinder their relationship, asserting: ”You had a busy life, but we were communicating through golf, hockey, poker and smoked meat and a lot of other wonderful food, bonding more and more as time went by.”
Turning his attention to his younger brothers, Eddy and Nelson, Réne Charles promised his late father he would attempt to instil the same values in his siblings as his father would have.
“You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers. As they grow older, without you being around, I’ll make sure to pass on what I’ve learned from you," he promised.
Making a heartfelt vow in front of a grief stricken congregation, Réne Charles insisted: “You are a tough act to follow, but with your help, everything’s going to be fine. Dad, I promise you here that we’re all going to live up to your standards."
Tragically, Celine lost her brother Daniel to the same disease just two days after Réne’s passing.
