Last farewell to Philippe Gildas

Paris – A great figure in the media and emblematic face of Cbad +, Philippe Gildas had asked that his funeral be a feast: between his favorite songs and repeated laughter, a last goodbye like nowhere else was delivered Monday.

Welcomed by Maryse Gildas, his wife, the Minister of Culture Franck Riester, one of his predecessors Jack Lang, the former president of Cbad + Pierre Lescure, Antoine de Caunes, José Garcia, Dominique Farrugia, Bruno Solo, Patrick Poivre 'Arvor, Serge July, Michele Cotta, Jean-Pierre Elkabbach, Marc-Olivier Fogiel, Michele Laroque and François Rollin attended a laic tribute organized at the Père-Lachaise crematorium.

Antoine de Caunes, his accomplice of years "Nowhere else", saluted "the huge professional"What was Philippe Gildas, without forgetting to respect literally his desire not to make the audience sad.

"Philippe was born in the Catholic religion. He decided to leave as a free man. Leprêtre (note: birth name of Philippe Gildas), he is there, in the box!"said Antoine de Caunes, triggering a giggle.

"Gildas was not a saint, but the sum of his faults does not reach the pinnacle of his main quality: an immense benevolence that will earn him all the indulgences", added Antoine de Caunes who also recalled some memorable gaffes on the air of the one to whom he vows"eternal gratitude".

"Philippe Gildas taught us the background and the way, the meaning and the dress, the good order and the good layout"said Pierre Lescure.

"You had the obsession with news. Never has your credibility as a journalist begun. You have hatched so many talents. You have not finished inspiring us", added Mr. Lescure during the ceremony punctuated by the favorite songs of Philippe Gildas"You are so beautiful"Joe Cocker,"In my life"Beatles and"The Mad Lament"by Charles Trenet.

His sons and one of his grandchildren have succeeded to pay homage to the father and grandfather "animated by a rage to live"And with an intact humor to the end." Recalling his funeral, Philippe Gildas was delighted not to have to worry about the speech.