MONTREAL – Like many Quebecers, former Premier Jean Charest is doing a lot of reminiscing this week. He’s thinking back to his childhood years when Jean Beliveau was the biggest thing around.
“Jean Beliveau and the Canadiens dominated the first 10 years of my life,” said Charest.
“We were a huge hockey family.”
In an interview with Global News, Charest said he contacted Beliveau’s widow, Elise Couture, Wednesday morning, soon after finding out about Beliveau’s passing.
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“I found her to be very courageous, in very good form,” he said. “She was a big part of his life. They were a team.”
During his time as premier, Charest said one of his favourite memories was a ceremony in June 2010 when Beliveau was appointed Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec. The honour is the highest for a civilian in the province.
“The word I would use to describe him is noble. He represented something very noble in our society,” Charest said.
The 56-year-old believes without a doubt the City of Montreal should recognize Beliveau in some fashion – by possibly renaming a street in his honour.
“I think it should be a substantial recognition, a street would be nice, but it should be something more significant,” he said. “We’ll forget the bridges.”
Charest plans on attending the funeral for the former Habs great next Wednesday afternoon at Mary-Queen-of-the-World Cathedral.
“Mister Beliveau represented the best of what we are, and it’s something we should celebrate,” he said.
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