‘He Is Smiling Down’: Brian Mulroney’s Sons Touched by Canadians’ Tributes

‘He Is Smiling Down’: Brian Mulroney’s Sons Touched by Canadians’ Tributes
Mark, Ben, and Nicolas Mulroney, (L-R) talk to media in the foyer following tributes to their father and late prime minister Brian Mulroney in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 18, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)
The Canadian Press
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Brian Mulroney’s three sons say there’s no doubt their father would have been thrilled by this week’s public tributes to honour his life.

For a fourth straight day, Mr. Mulroney’s sons Ben, Mark and Nicolas are on March 22 standing alongside their mother, sister and other family members, to greet the steady stream of people who have come to pay respects at their father’s casket.

The body of the former prime minister is lying in repose for a second day in Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Basilica, following two days of lying in state in Ottawa that saw visits from the prime minister, other dignitaries and the public.

Mark Mulroney says the decision to spend four long days greeting the public came about “organically” out of a desire to support their mother Mila Mulroney, who doesn’t want to leave her late husband’s side.

Nicolas Mulroney says the week has been emotional but that he and his brothers feel energized after hearing so many stories from Canadians about how his father impacted their lives.

A state funeral is set for March 23 at Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, with eulogies from Mr. Mulroney’s daughter Caroline, former Quebec premier Jean Charest and hockey great Wayne Gretzky.