“If Quebecers knew their history, we would have been independent a long time ago!” liked to say historian Marcel Tessier, who died Monday in Saint-Jérôme of cancer at the age of 90.
Passionate about politics, Marcel Tessier discusses with Pauline Marois during a meeting of the Parti Québécois. He will try the electoral adventure without success. Source: Éditions de l’Homme
Editions of Man
“His enthusiasm was his greatest quality,” he confided to Journal Guy Mongrain, who worked alongside him for nearly 30 years, notably as host of the morning show Hello Helloto VAT.
Mr. Tessier presented chronicles on history that pleased not only the viewers, but also the technical team and the journalists who came to hear him on the set. “He knew how to captivate the audience, no matter what the subject he was addressing,” recalls Mr. Mongrain.
Contagious love
Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, remembers Marcel Tessier for his “contagious love for Quebec,” which he expressed in various forums. Named Patriot of the Year in 2001 (a title he shares with former prime ministers René Lévesque and Jacques Parizeau), Mr. Tessier was still attending the society’s activities recently.
For historian Éric Bédard, a professor at Université TÉLUQ, Tessier was able to tell the history of Quebec with clarity and conviction. When they met, they had lively discussions about historical events, but always in good humor. “I will remember his volcanic laugh and his humor for a long time,” he says.
Opera singer
Before being invited onto television sets, Mr. Tessier had a career in teaching, notably at Collège Notre-Dame de Montréal from 1978 to 1992, where he left a very positive memory, according to Anne Desaulniers, director of communications.
Marcel Tessier in the role of Morales (opera Carmen, by George Bizet) at the Place-des-Arts in Montreal in 1964. Source: Éditions de l’Homme
Homme
In his 2006 autobiography, I remember (The Man), Marcel Tessier presents his 35-year career in the school environment as an immense source of pride.
If the history of Quebec was the great passion of his life, Tessier had a first career as a singer which led him to a leading role at Place-des-Arts in the opera Carmenin 1964.
Marcel Tessier’s autobiography, “I remember”, published in 2006. Editions de l’Homme
Editions of Man
Received regularly on television sets well before becoming the popular columnist of Hello Hello!the singer recorded several albums and even tried his luck in the United States before choosing the education sector, which was more stable to support his family of four children.
Scouting marked the childhood of Marcel Tessier (left), photographed with his sisters in Saint-Henri. Source: Éditions de l’Homme
Editions of Man
Marcel Tessier’s funeral will be held on September 10 in Saint-Jérôme.
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