Family funeral in France for Total boss

Family funeral in France for Total boss

SAINT-PAIR-SUR-MER, France - Agence France-Presse

Family members and relatives of Total's CEO Christophe de Margerie gather during his funeral at the cemetery of Kairon on October 28, 2014 in Saint-Pair-sur-Mer, northwestern France. Christophe de Margerie died in a plane accident in Russia on October 20, 2014. AFP Photo

Former Total boss Christophe de Margerie, who died last week when his private jet crashed in Russia, was buried on Oct. 28 in a private family funeral in France.
      
Around 100 mourners, mainly relatives and close associates, were present at the ceremony held under clear blue skies in the small village of Saint-Pair-sur-Mer in northwestern France.
      
De Margerie's wife Bernadette led the funeral procession, clutching a picture of her late husband, followed by their children and grandchildren.
      
On Monday, top figures from the world of politics and business paid their respects at a Paris memorial service for the former chief executive.
      
French President Francois Hollande led the tributes, hailing De Margerie's "excellence and talent."        De Margerie, 63, died last week when his private jet hit a snowplough during take-off at Vnukovo airport in Moscow.
      
The snowplough driver was accused of being drunk and Russian media reported that an intern was in charge of directing air traffic at the time of the crash.
      
Total recently named Patrick Pouyanne as the new chief executive, while former Total CEO, Thierry Desmarest, was appointed chairman.