- Farewell the Artist ©Destimed/RP
« We thought you were eternal and you are for each of us “Launches Marie-Laure Augry during the funeral of Michel Montana, the one who will forever remain “THE” president of “Mondial La Marseillaise à pétanque”, who died at the age of 90. She intervenes on behalf of two of the three worlds of Michel Montana, that of the press and showbiz. She mentions ” this bashful talker » dont « tolerance, benevolence, your enthusiasm did us good. You were a magician of life ».
To accompany Michel Montana this Friday, February 19, the sky has opted for blue but, in any case: “ He would have said that, even if the sky is gray, you must always see a patch of blue sky. “, underlines his son Vincent, before paying tribute to his mother, Marie” the pillar “. Remember again: Michel Montana was a child of Marseille to which he returned all his letters of nobility ».
“He could have been embittered, but no, it was the other way around”
And to give the floor to Jean-Marc Coppola, communist deputy of the city of Marseille, in charge of Culture, for whom Michel Montana was the man of 1,000 projects, 1,000 lives, all linked by the love of others and Marseilles. He celebrates: This fierce defender of “La Marseillaise” and the press “. Don’t hide being very proud ” to have counted him among my friends “, so much it was, ” magnetic, ecumenical brilliance. At the same time, he knew how to be serious, amusing, questioning, facetious. We left fascinated by an encounter with such a man “. He tells : ” He experienced poverty, discrimination, wearing the star … he could have been sour, but no, it was the other way around, he radiated and had ” an insatiable taste for differences “. The chosen one does not fail to mention all these anonymous ” that he could help “. So, for Jean-Marc Coppola: “ He knew better than anyone how to live like everyone else by being like no one ».
“Sharing a piece of life with those he called his traveling companions”
Vincent Montana speaks again, evokes all the personalities with whom he was a friend, the paintings of Picasso refused, the work of César forgotten in a plane just like the poem written by Aragon on a piece of tablecloth… ” His pleasure was not in appearance but in the fact of sharing a piece of life with those he called his traveling companions. ».
“He was family long before me”
François Xavier Diaz, Paul Ricard’s grandson says: ” My first meeting with Michel Montana goes back fifty years. I must confess that I don’t remember… I had just been born. He was family long before me. Michel we miss you even if I know that not only are you in history but that you have written history “. The s’imagine: ” I see you, up there, with Paul, Patrick, Yves or Henri Salvador, César calling you for a petanque… ».
“He who is loved by men is loved by heaven”
The Chief Rabbi of Marseille Reouven Ohana, speaking of Michel Montana, evokes ” an honorable man, i.e. one who honors others through his humanist and altruistic qualities “. Then he goes on: He who is loved by men is loved by heaven ».
Michel CAIRE
They remember: from smiles to tears
René Baldaccini, founder of Radio Star and nephew of César does not hide his emotion as his story is linked to that of Michel Montana: “ I’ve known him since 1973, and today is the last time I’ll sound him “. The deputy mayor of the city of Marseille, Samia Ghali remembers ” evenings of discussions, laughter, friendships. For me the “Mondial La Marseillaise” without Michel is no longer the Mondial ».
Pierre Souvignet, CEO of “La Boule Obut” emphasizes: ” Michel accompanied “La Boule Obut”, he was a faithful. He marked the life of my father, he helped the development of our company. It was a monument with which we had the chance to form personal relations “. The former president of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, Jean-Noël Guérini speaks of ” a great friend, an extraordinary man of absolute loyalty ».
Former communist senator Robert Bret: ” I’m burying a friend, I had a lot of affection for him as he was so warm, friendly, epicurean “. For Jacques, owner of the “Marengo”, a historic bar which accompanied a few afters and befores during the Mondial… many memories come back to him. ” We lived next door on the Old Port and we met in the evening at the “Café des arts” to remake the world ».
Patrick Amato, former CEO of Safim: “ It was my family. I had known him since 1975. And during all those years he was my guardian angel. He fiercely defended “La Marseillaise”, “Le Mondial”. With him it is one of the last great characters of Marseille who is leaving ».
Anne-Marie Estienne d’Orves: ” Michel was a wonderful man and, thinking of him, I can only think of Roger (Prof. Roger Luccioni, her husband’s note). The two called each other every day. They were different but what united them was their love for mankind. And, when Roger left, Michel showed a loyalty that I will never forget. I loved his laughter, his sparkling eyes ».
André Molino, PCF mayor of Septèmes-les-Vallons: “ I have known Michel since the 1970s. I was then working at “La Marseillaise”. He was a demanding and humane person who was always there to help you when you needed it. ».
Christophe Madrolle, regional councilor remembers: “ When we passed each other, he would say to me: “Eh l’Écolo”, with a big smile. And we talked about everything, politics but also and above all about Marseille and the Mediterranean. Michel was like an illuminating and luminous beacon ».
Jean-Pierre Abehassera remembers: “ Our first meeting took place in 1968, I took care of the newspaper of “Waldeck Rochet”. We then discovered that we had the same origins, the same opinions and we never left each other. I was the representative in France of all the means of the socialist countries. And what adventures… I remember the time when, on Red Square, we were running with Michel to catch up with people who had just stolen a case of Cognac from us… Michel was the ambassador of Marseilles, of La Marseillaise by Ricard ».
Karim Allouache was present alongside Michel Montana at “La Marseillaise” in the great days as in the darkest: ” He was a friend, a master for me. This great gentleman was both professionally demanding and deeply human. He made me grow. His secret: he loved people ».
Patricia Maillé-Caire, editorial director of “Destimed”, former journalist of “La Marseillaise”: ” Michel has always been part of my life. I met him when I was 17. I owe him my career, my marriage. And the one who was always there when you needed help, I also owe him my life… without his intervention, and that of his friend Professor Luccioni, I would no longer be… Thank you Michel. »
Michel CAIRE