Celine Dion shared the details of her late husband René Angélil’s memorial service via Facebook Friday, January 15, along with a few poignant words.
“Surrounded by the love of his family and friends, René Angélil passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2016, on the eve of his 74th birthday,” the touching post began. “He will be remembered as a gentle man, generous and kind, an unprecedented visionary, a modern Pygmalion, a renaissance man. All who had the privilege of knowing him and of working closely with him, whether personally or professionally, salute a leader and a man of great intelligence and wisdom.”
Dion, 47, first met Angélil as her music manager back when she was 12 and he was 38. They tied the knot in an elaborate wedding in the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal in 1994.
The couple share three children together: René-Charles, 14, and twin boys Nelson and Eddy, 5.
In the Facebook post, the “From This Moment” singer also shared the details of her longtime love’s memorial service, which will be held on Friday, January 22, at the Notre-Dame, per Angélil’s request.
“According to his final wishes, his Funeral will be held at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, where 21 years ago, he chose to marry the one who will remain as the great love of his life, the artist for which he had the most respect, the woman who gave him light and happiness until his very last breath,” the Facebook post read.
The Chapel of Rest at Notre-Dame will be open to the public one day earlier for fans hoping to pay their respects to the late musician and manager.
Angélil had struggled from a long battle with throat cancer, but his sudden death came as a surprise to those close to him, as a source tells Us that he “was feeling better lately.”
