Soulanges Irish Society Team

Our Executive

Jay de la Durantaye

President

Jay de la Durantaye is a resident of St. Lazare and the Vice President of sales for West Island-based NDR Lighting, which distributes LED lighting across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. A member of the Hudson Legion, he had been president of the Legion Curling Club since 2017. Jay currently holds the position of 1st Vice President Legion Branch 115. 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, Jay 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 19-year-old son, Edward, once a student at Collège Bourget in Rigaud, currently attends John Abbott College. His Irish roots reach back to his paternal great-grandfather, John Chambers, who was born in County 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."

Rob Dumas

VP Parade Operations

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.”

Ken Bell

VP Organization

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.

Mark Noonan

VP Membership

With deep Irish roots, Mark grew up in Pierrefonds, the west end of Montreal. Mark has traveled for work and resided in numerous locations around Canada, finally settling in St Lazare where he is married to Nancy and has 3 boys, Michael, Scott and Shawn. Working in the Pharmaceutical industry, allows Mark to bring a unique business sense to the SIS. Mark's dedication to the Membership banner of the SIS, allows for a membership pool to grow and benefit from the Membership programs Mark has put in place.

Eileen McAleese

VP Finance

Eileen grew up in Quebe City and was fully immersed in all things Irish from a young age. She and her 2 sisters did Irish Dancing growing up and sang and danced at seniors residences and parish parties. She grew up listening to her Dad sing Irish lullabies to her and continued that tradition with her children and is now thrilled to continue with her first grandson. Her Irish heritage hails from County Wexford and she was very fortunate to visit Ireland on 2 occasions. She’s been living in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area for the past 37 years and raised her 3 children here. After her daughters gave up Irish dancing she missed the Irish culture and so was glad to join the SIS executive as recording secretary in 2020. Being a bookkeeper, it was a natural progression to step into the role as VP-finance when it became available. Eileen loves all things Irish and is very happy to promote Irish culture while also raising funds for local charities.