Quebecers pay respects to Jean-Pierre Ferland ahead of national funeral

Julie Anne Saumur said she felt overwhelmed as people from all over Quebec and Canada lined up to say one last goodbye to her late husband, singer-songwriter Jean-Pierre Ferland,at the Thtre Maisonneuvein Montreal's Place des Arts Friday.

The singer died on April 27 at age 89, and is lying in state today ahead of his national funeral tomorrow.

"I can't believe it," said Saumur. "He was always scared not to be loved, you know, because he wanted to be loved and now if he sees this he wouldn't even realize how much everybody loves him, how much of a poet he was and a great singer.It's beautiful."

The couple spent 16 years doing everything together, remembers Saumur.

"It's a big part of me that's gone," she said.

People wishing to pay Ferland homage can sign a book of condolencebetween 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Foyer Jean-Gascon.

Stphanie Caissewas there this morning. She's in Montreal from Cyprus visiting family and decided to pay her respects to the singer, whoshe keeps in her heart especially while abroad, she says.

"You just listen to his voice and it brings me back to my roots, to who I am. I'm a really proud Qubcoise," she said.

The national funeral is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral downtown Montreal, which will include musical performances and eulogies. There will be limited space available to members of the public.The provincial government is encouraging people to wear yellow in honour of Ferland's1970 albumJaune.

The Quebec flag will also fly at half-mast at the National Assembly beginning at dawn Saturday.

Born and raised in Montreal's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, Ferlandwrote over 450 songs and released some 30 albums.

Hewon multiple awards and accolades over a career spanning over six decades including Knight of the Order of Quebec, Officer of the Order of Canada and his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.