When their delivery boy told them the news, this Sunday at the end of the day, Jennifer rushed upstairs to turn on the television.
“I wanted to know if it was true,” says this manager of the Rond-Point bar-restaurant in Crèvecœur-le-Grand.
At first, I didn't believe it, I hadn't seen anything on social networks.
"Standing behind the counter, she sighs:" As much, Uncle David, it was written immediately on Facebook, but nothing on Mr. Dassault ... "
On the screen, the news is confirmed, the deputy (LR) Olivier Dassault has indeed died in a helicopter crash.
“We are in shock, Jennifer slips, moved.
He was very appreciated here, he gave us back confidence in politics… ”A few weeks ago, the man had come to meet the traders of the town,“ to support us in this difficult period ”.
"It's really sad, for once a politician was interested in us," insists Jennifer.
VIDEO. Death of Olivier Dassault: "We heard a huge crash", testifies a neighbor
In the first constituency, that of Beauvais Nord, which brings together the former cantons of Breteuil, Froissy or even Maignelay-Montigny and Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, the man was known and appreciated.
By number of elected officials, of course, but also by residents, traders and associations.
Séverine, 44, remembers “her big heart”, Joseph, 79, “his generosity”, Taieb, 68, his “handshake” and his ability to “talk to everyone, even the tramps ”.
Jacques, 78, talks about his “phenomenal empathy”.
"He would leave his wallet saying: Go ahead, pay for tours!"
Far from being isolated in his permanence, located in Beauvais, we regularly saw the Republican deputy at sporting events, in tea dances or in the flea markets of the surroundings, where he hunted for toys and trinkets to give them back to people in the need.
"It was Monsieur flea market", laughs a resident of Breteuil.
The bar manager the Celtic interrupted, smiling, "I remember he even left his wallet at the bar association saying
A
llez ahead, pay touring
!
He was really the exception among politicians who are more used to receiving than ultimately giving.
"
"His grandfather, Marcel Dassault, financed the village halls, he was the tillers"
The man displayed a simplicity in his relations with his citizens.
“But Olivier Dassault was not pretending, he would arrive, pay for the coffee or the half and discuss with everyone.
He was really a nice guy, we could talk easily with him, Pointe Didier, who lives in Breteuil.
And he has helped the small municipalities a lot financially.
His grandfather, Marcel Dassault, financed the village halls, he was the tillers, tractors, mowers… ”
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But also football shirts, ping-pong rackets and “a whole bunch of sports equipment” for the sports clubs in his constituency… “I'm not going to say that he has always been Santa Claus, but he has much supported the territory, even despite the end of the parliamentary reserve, assures Jacques Cotel, former mayor of Breteuil, met in the bar Celtique.
Our riding has been fortunate.
"
"I wanted him to free himself on a Sunday and to come and dance"
At US Breteuil, the city's amateur football club, we have already begun to pay tribute to the Republican deputy.
“We met him regularly, he came to tournaments and did not hesitate to help us financially, says Yohann Lardemelle, responsible for young people and assistant secretary.
Lately, he had even participated in the purchase of movable goals for our synthetic field, while it is always difficult for an amateur club to have good equipment.
"
Olivier Dassault was elected deputy for Oise on September 18, 1988. A function he exercised "with passion", close to the inhabitants of his constituency.
/ DR
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A few months ago, the deputy sent a small donation to launch the future tavern in Crèvecœur-le-Grand.
"I had just sent him a letter to warn him," breathes Marie-Noëlle André over the phone.
I wanted him to free himself on a Sunday and come and dance.
Still moved, this association president admits it, she must have had a hard time getting over the news.
“We were very close, each time I asked her to make me dance during our events,” she recalls.
He retorted:
No, I don't know how to dance
and I always replied:
Next time, we dance a slow then!
We were laughing about it.
"The retiree concludes:" He was a tall man, like no one does anymore.
"