Friends, family join Celine Dion in service for husband

Hundreds of friends, family and fans gathered at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica on Friday to pay their final respects to Celine Dion’s husband and manager, Rene Angelil.

Her husband and former manager, René Angélil, died of throat cancer at 73, on January 14.

The 47-year-old “My Heart Will Go On” hitmaker struggled to hold back her tears as she stood by her husband’s open casket inside the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Canada, reported Us magazine.

He said: “Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father”. All things considered, she lost her spouse simply a week ago, as well as her sibling, Daniel Dion, who passed on of disease days after the fact.

The government of Quebec province offered to hold a “national” funeral – akin to a state funeral – for Angelil.

The pair met when Dion’s singing career was in its infancy and Angelil become her mentor, having predicted she would become a world star.

You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers.

After the Grammy victor and her son Rene-Charles greeted the many grievers, as seen in the official memorial pics (above), the music icon made sure to issue a short statement to express her thanks for all of the support. “All our lives, our dad told us ‘I love you, ‘ and now, more than ever, we are realizing how exceptional it is to have had a dad who never hesitated to say those precious words”, he said.

A number of celebrities are expected to attend the funeral for the man credited with transforming Dion into an worldwide superstar. He joked he was anxious to see which pew seat Angelil assigned to him. Angélil’s funeral service takes place Friday.

The coffin was placed in a hearse outside the church while photographers snapped pictures of Dion and her sons saying goodbye.

“The grand and lovely history of their love”, Marier said.