Renowned entertainer Jean Lapointe, a Canadian Senator from 2001-10 and a member of Canada Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee in the early 2000s, has died at age 86.
The Québec-born singer, actor, comedian and raconteur died on Nov. 22 from “health complications,” according to a statement from his namesake non-profit foundation and addiction treatment centre.
“Our father always said that his greatest pride has always been Maison Jean Lapointe,” said daughter Anne Lapointe, the treatment centre’s general manager.
After battling alcoholism in the 1960s, Lapointe launched the foundation in 1982. Two years later, he became an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2001, prime minister Jean Chrétien appointed Lapointe to the Senate, which he served until his retirement at age 75. He became an officer of the National Order of Québec, that province’s highest honour, in 2006.
In addition to serving on the Stamp Advisory Committee, Lapointe was a life member of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.