Montreal Canadiens fans line up to pay tribute to Guy Lafleur

Guy Lafleur will lie in state at the Bell Center on Sunday and Monday before receiving a national funeral on Tuesday.

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Fans began lining up Sunday morning to pay a final tribute to Lafleur, who died of lung cancer April 22 at 70.

Lafleur will lie in state at the Bell Center from noon to 8:00 pm on Sunday and from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm on Monday

Members of the public are asked to use the main entrance at 1909 des Canadiens-de-Montreal Ave.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, a national funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 am at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral on René-Lévesque Blvd. at Mansfield St.

Under Quebec’s rules for official funerals, state funerals are reserved for former premiers and the president of the National Assembly, while national funerals are for people who have made a mark on the province.

The activities honoring Lafleur, “will be humble and accessible,” in keeping with the family’s request, said the Montreal Canadiens. The team is organizing the events in collaboration with the Quebec government’s protocol office.

Members of the public may also express their condolences by visiting the Canadiens’ website.

Contributions may be made to the Guy Lafleur Fund for Cancer Research via a donation in his name to the Fondation du Center hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM).