Your executive

---

Jay de la Durantaye is a resident of St. Lazare and the director of sales for West Island-based NDR Electric, which distributes LED lighting across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

A member of the Hudson Legion, he has been president of the Legion Curling Club since 2017.

In 2018, de la Durantaye took on the challenge of heading a team of talented volunteers to reposition the Hudson St. Patrick's Parade that staged the event’s 10th annual edition in March 2019. The process broke the mold, and set record numbers for several of the associated events leading up to and including the parade, preparing the groundwork for the creation of the Soulanges Irish Society and marking a course to transform this annual festival into one of the largest Irish celebrations in North America.

Originally from Pierrefonds, de la Durantaye grew up in the West Island, where he was active in coaching a variety of amateur sports, including hockey, ringuette, baseball and curling teams. He currently plays softball with the Hudson mixed league. He moved to St. Lazare in 2001, has lived in Hudson and considers this region his home. His 15-year-old son, Edward, is a student at Collège Bourget in Rigaud. 

His Irish roots reach back to his paternal great-grandfather, John Chambers, who was born in Sligo, Ireland. After emigrating to Canada, Chamber’s only daughter, Olive, married a young Montrealer, Wilfred de la Durantaye, a union that, like many in Quebec’s storied history, firmed the bonds between the Irish and French cultures in this province.

“Being part of the Soulanges Irish Society at the ground level is not only a thrill,” de la Durantaye said, “it allows me to be involved in a community-based organization that I am passionate about, and offers our region the opportunity to celebrate the Irish in us all."

Robert Dumas is a resident of Hudson and a businessman. He is the managing director for Innovative Systems Design, a Montreal-based company that develops and integrates a cloud-based subscriber self-service platform for newspapers throughout North America. He is also a professional firefighter and a certified first-responder working part-time for the Hudson Fire Department. 

Dumas is currently a member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, an international firefighter motorcycle club, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He also volunteers his time in support of many local charitable endeavours.

Originally from Longueuil, Que., he has lived and worked in England and Denmark, and moved to Hudson in 2010.

Dumas’ father is of French and Huron background, while his mother provided his Irish roots, explaining how his parents were proud of their individual heritages and taught their children to embrace all aspects of their Irish, French and Aboriginal heritage.

Dumas has been married to Elizabeth Rowe for 29 years and is a father of three – son Josh is studying to be a master electrician, son Liam is a firefighter in Hudson, and daughter Olivia is a student at McGill University and plans to pursue a career in medicine.

“I like being involved in the community,” said Dumas. “I have always taken an active role. It’s important to do something.” 

Craig Nolan is a resident of Vaudreuil-Dorion and a mail carrier with Canada Post. He also founded a financial services firm, Craig Nolan & Associates Inc., which was sold to a private equity firm in 2014.

A graduate of Concordia University with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, Nolan worked for Nexxus Solutions, a sales and debt collection call centre, and eventually took over the company.

Born in LaSalle, Que., Nolan grew up in Hudson, and has lived in Verdun. He attended Options II High School in Ville Émard.

He moved to Vaudreuil-Dorion in 2013, where he lives with his wife, Isabelle Laframboise, a microbiologist.

Nolan is proud of his Irish roots. His family hails from the town of Carlow in County Carlow, south of Dublin. He is a member of the United Irish Societies of Montreal, where he has held the position of chairman of communications, corresponding secretary and parade marshal. He is also a member of the St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal, a charitable cultural association. 

Now, he aims to offer his experience and passion to the Soulanges Irish Society.

“The goal is to build this organization from the grassroots, and I invite all who are Irish or who enjoy the Irish spirit of inclusiveness to join,” said Nolan.

Ken Bell - A Vaudreuil resident, Ken has been involved in the Irish communities of Montreal for over 20 years.  

Having grown up in the Montreal, Ken's deep history in the Multicultural and Multi Ethnic backgrounds, proves to be an asset in his everyday life in both his professional career in the garment industry and his personal life with his wife Terry and their endless hours of commitment to the many churches they both dedicate hours of volunteerism.

His tireless dedication to charitable activities is second to none.

As the Vice President of Event Planning, Ken's expertise in managing large events proves to be an asset to the SIS, time and time again.

Ken Doran -  Irish roots 6 generation landed in New Brunswick, family still have the land and motel. 

Having been part of the Irish societies for over 35 years. Former member of UIS (VP Public relations & Asst. Deputy Marshall 10 years) Erin Sports assoc. Member for 6 years, and has been part of SIS for 9 years. 

Charity Promotions is a company i formed in 2007 to provide events and fundraising idea's for Great Montreal, to date has raised almost 400,000 for charity in our city. 

Father of 3 plus Step father of 3 and now grandfather of 3..   

Being Irish means Love, Loyalty and Friendship live the real Claddagh....