René Angélil's death draws strong response from fans, friends
Céline Dion’s husband, manager dead at 73
René Angélil, husband and manager of Montreal superstar Céline Dion, died Thursday — just two days before his 74th birthday.
Responses have been pouring in from those who knew him.
"I feel so sad, we had some great times together," Quebec singer Ginette Reno told CBC. Angélil managed Reno's career in the 1970s.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the family, as did Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly.
Parti Québécois Leader Pierre Karl Péladeau, whose wife Julie Snyder is a close friend of Céline Dion, also lamented the news.
Péladeau said Angélil played an influential role in Quebec culture and that his thoughts are with "Céline and their children."
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre spoke to Radio-Canada minutes after sending a tweet offering his condolences.
"He was a great Montrealer so we will put the flags outside City Hall at half-mast," Coderre said. "He was very close to the people and extremely dignified … someone who held on to his roots … Everywhere he went in the world, he always spoke about his little corner of the world."
Coderre said the city will find some way to honour him.
"We respect him for all he did in the world of entertainment, but he was also a fanatic of sports and a fanatic of Montreal."
Dion's fans were also quick to offer kind words to the pop superstar.
Just 40 minutes after posting news of Angélil's death on social media, Dion had received 15,000 messages of condolence from fans all around the world.