The foundation he created announced Friday that he died of complications from his health at a palliative care home in Montreal, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Price, a village in the Lower St-Lawrence region, Lapointe began his career as a teenager at a Quebec radio station. In 1955 he founded Jérolas together with Jérôme Lemay. The popular duo combined music, humor and impersonations, leading to appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1963 and at the famed Olympia in Paris. The Jérolas disbanded in 1974 as Lapointe and Lemay embarked on solo careers. Lapointe enjoyed solo success in music as well as comedy throughout the 1970s and 1980s, putting together hits such as Chante-la ta chanson, Tu jongles avec ma vie and Si on chantait ensemble. In 1981 he won the Félix, a Quebec music award, for concert of the year. He was also a talented actor and had a film career alongside his other credits, starting with Yul 871 alongside Lemay in 1966. His role in Érik Canuel’s 2004 film Le dernier tunnel led to a Genie Award and a Jutra Award for the same year. In 2000, Quebec’s Les Olivier humor awards gala presented him with a Tribute Award. Another tribute was paid to him at the Just for Laughs gala in 2005, marking his 50th anniversary in the business. Jérôme Lemay, left, and Jean Lapointe, right, formed the Jérolas from 1955 to 1974. (Radio-Canada) Lapointe was appointed to the Senate in 2001 by former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, as a Liberal until his retirement at age 75 in 2010. Lapointe received many honors during his lifetime, including being named to the Order of Canada in 1984 and officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2006. Lapointe struggled with alcoholism in the 1960s, but managed to break free and in 1982, created a halfway house for people dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction, La Maison Jean Lapointe. Last month, the founding and healing center celebrated its 40th anniversary. “Our father always said that his greatest pride was always Maison Jean Lapointe,” daughter Anne Elizabeth Lapointe, general manager of the treatment center, said in a statement. “His departure saddens us, but we know he will remain the soul of our establishment.” Lapoide is survived by his wife, Mercedes, and his seven children, two grandsons and two sisters. “The loss of our father is a terrible ordeal, but knowing that his artistic and humanitarian legacy will live on in the hearts of Quebeckers is comforting for us,” his son Jean-Marie Lapointe said in the statement. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying Lapoyd’s legacy will be remembered for generations and that he will be remembered for “his many contributions to the Canadian arts community, his philanthropy and his service to Canadians as a former senator.” “His performances were ahead of their time, filled with his signature wit and good-natured humor,” Trudeau said.
