Ren Anglil's death draws strong response from fans, friends

Ren Anglil, husband and manager of Montreal superstar Cline Dion, died Thursday just two days before his 74th birthday.

• Ren Anglil dead: Cline Dion's husband dead at 73

Responseshave beenpouring in from those who knew him.

"I feel so sad, we had some great times together," Quebec singer Ginette Reno told CBC. Anglil managed Reno's career in the 1970s.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the family, as didHeritage MinisterMlanieJoly.

Parti Qubcois Leader Pierre Karl Pladeau, whose wife Julie Snyderis a close friend of Cline Dion, also lamentedthe news.

Pladeau said Anglil played an influential role in Quebec culture andthat his thoughts are with "Cline and their children."

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre spoke to Radio-Canada minutes after sending a tweet offering his condolences.

"He was a great Montrealer so we will put the flags outside City Hall at half-mast," Coderre said. "He was very close to the people and extremely dignifiedsomeone who held on to his rootsEverywhere he went in the world, he always spokeabout his little corner of theworld."

Coderre said the city will find some wayto honour him.

"We respect him for all he did in the world of entertainment, but he was also a fanatic of sports and a fanatic of Montreal."

Dion's fans were also quick to offer kind words to the pop superstar.

Just 40 minutes after posting news of Anglil's death on social media,Dion had received 15,000 messages of condolence from fans all around the world.