“Patrice Bergeron welcomed me into the Bruins locker room” – Gildor Roy

UPDATE DAY

Throughout his career as an actor, Gildor Roy, the brother of Luc Roy, Yvon Roy and the singer and actress Maxim Roy, whom he adores, was often the actor in support who found a way to distinguish himself. 

He owned a baseball club in the Dominican Republic where he met his wife of 31 years now, Ingrid Rodriguez, and whom he describes as a very pretty woman, and the source of happiness in his life.

You are a native of Abitibi.

I was born in Cadillac, a mining town that sits on a curve between Rouyn and Val-d'Or. The population varied from 500 to 3000 people, depending on whether the mine was open or not.

Your father lied about his age.

He lied on his age to enlist in the army. After his military career ended, he was made chief of police at Cadillac, which allowed him to meet his future wife, Marguerite. strong>Blanche allowed you to relive your mother's childhood. 

My mother is from La Motte in Abitibi. She was born in a log cabin just like the one in the soap opera.

You were under a lot of pressure to carry your father's name, Gildor Sr. 

It was a huge pressure for me. I had no right to disappoint my father, I had to make him proud.

Your father left his mark in Rigaud. 

My father was mayor of the former parish from 1977 to 1979, mayor of the former city from 1991 to 1995 and mayor of Rigaud from November 1995 to January 1996. Do you now understand the immense pressure that I did you feel about carrying my father's name? 

You lived through the rivalry between Sorel and Tracy.

My father worked for Hydro-Québec and for two years he was assigned to Sorel. I was 8 years old, the young people who arrived from other regions had to value themselves among young Sorelois.

Fortunately you had your two brothers. 

< p>Many times my brothers came to my rescue. Finally, the guys from Sorel accepted me in their group. 

You describe yourself as a “gentleman farmer”.

We lived on a farm in the Rigaud region where I did the hay, the train, not to mention the many other jobs that were part of daily life on a farm. When your father, a former boxer, told you that you had to go train or hay, there was no question of contradicting him.

Did you enjoy your life on a farm ?

I would say that once the family sold the farm, I was bored. I really liked my first job as a packer at the Metro in Rigaud.  

Life on a farm helped you in your life as an actor.< /p>

I'd rather get my makeup done at 6 a.m. than go for a train ride on a farm.  

You were a family of goalies. < /p>

Imagine that in the same season, my father, my brother and I were playing in different hockey leagues as goaltenders. I can assure you that the hockey equipment was always damp and wet.

Your dad made your goalie masks.

At the time, these were face-molded masks. I was and still am a Bruins and Bobby Orr fan, so my mask looked like Gerry Cheevers of the Bruins. Even today, when Serge Savard talks about my favorite player, Bobby Orr, I get chills. 

Patrice Bergeron welcomed you into the Bruins locker room.

Before the game in Boston, I met the famous Rene Rancourt who performed the national anthem. At the end of the match, an attendant asked me to follow him. Suddenly, I find myself in front of the Bruins locker room. The door opens and Patrice Bergeron greets me: “Mr. Roy, welcome to the Bruins locker room.  

Were you a good student at school?

Yes, except in math, I was doing well. I also acted in plays whose director was my colleague at Collège Bourget, in Rigaud, Marc Labrèche. At 13, after delivering my first line, I realized I was destined to become an actor.

Your father's reaction?

He simply replied: “I'm glad you're becoming an actor, except that right now it's time to train. » 

Where did you spend your summer holidays?  

We would go camping to Lake Ontario and various places in Quebec. The highlight of our vacation was seeing our family in Abitibi.

You were driving without a driver's license.

On the farm, I regularly drove the tractors, truck and other vehicles without my driver's license. By the way, I got my license when I was 22.

You still have two autographed balls from the Expos.

Mr. Labbé, a resident of Rigaud, was a security guard for the Expos at Jarry Park. One day he invited the family to an Expos game. Here I am on the field not far from the batting cage and so close to the players. When they returned to the locker room, I was waiting for them with two balls that they signed for me. Even today, the collector and magician Alain Choquette wants the autographed balls of the 1974 edition. 

You liked to play baseball. 

< p>I have so many fond memories that I can tell you the Little League Baseball oath. (He repeated the oath to me.) 

Country music is a family tradition. 

During a corn roast on the farm, I discovered my passion for country music.  

A beautiful moment that you would like to share with us?&nbsp ;

Whenever my children, Luis, William or Mahalia, call me “Dad” and my grandchildren “Grandpa”.