2010 Grand Marshal
 

GRAND MARSHAL 2010
186th ST. PATRICK’S PARADE

Jim Killin

The Grand Marshal for the 186th Consecutive St. Patrick’s Parade is Mr. James Killin, Associate Vice President (Quebec and Atlantic Region) L’Equipeur / Marks Work Wearhouse, Division Of Canadian Tire Corporation.

Jim is a 35 year career retailer working within several major department stores as well as national retailers in various capacities before joining l’Equipeur.

During the past 14 years with L’Equipeur Jim has been responsible for the Eastern operations of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, which has enabled him to work on the marketing side of the business. His job has allowed him to meet and support many organizations in and around the Quebec and Atlantic Regions such as Air Canada’s “Dreams Take Flight.” For many years he has been involved with air shows across Canada, working with the Department of National Defence’s Snowbirds and Skyhawks F18 Demo Teams. He is also committed to supporting the men and women of our Armed Forces and has joined performers and athletes as they entertained and spent time with our troops in Afghanistan. Jim was named a Paul Harris Fellow, by Rotary International and was made an Honorary Alumni of the Montreal Alouettes. In 2009 he served as St. Patrick’s Society Patron’s Fund Co-Chair. In recent years the United Irish Societies has welcomed L’Equipeur as a loyal partner.

Jim is proud dad to three daughters Ashley, Leigh-Ann and Stephanie. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jim moved to Montreal in 1967.

The United Irish Societies of Montreal is honoured to welcome Mr. Jim Killin as the Grand Marshal of the 186th Consecutive St. Patrick’s Parade.

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CHIEF REVIEWING OFFICER 2010

James Coleman

The Chief Reviewing Officer for the 186th Consecutive St. Patrick’s Parade is Mr. James P. Coleman, well known in Montreal’s Irish community. Born in Montreal, he is the youngest son of the late Maude Burke and James Coleman, both of County Mayo Ireland.

Our Chief Reviewing Officer grew up in St. Anthony’s Parish and played hockey and football with considerable success for several clubs.

Jim, married 46 years, to Marilyn Edwards, is the proud father of Chad, Kerri, and Kirk along with five grandchildren, all residing in the Montreal area.

Retirement came prematurely for Jim, after serving 28 years on the MUC Police Department and proudly receiving the Governor General’s Medal of Exemplary Service in 1987. He continued on with PJ Impex for several years, controlling the quality of produce for export from Canada and the USA.

James started his participation in the St. Patrick’s Parade at the early age of five, where marched proudly with his father for the Innisfail Social and Sports Club in 1946.

Always active in the community Jim has been a member of many organizations, including the Knights of Columbus No. 284, Erin Sports Association, Innisfail Social & Sports Club, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Westmount Police Association, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212.

James’ association with the United Irish Societies of Montreal is long standing, where he has held the positions of Deputy Marshal, Director of Publicity, and President (1975-76) before being chosen as the Grand Marshal of the 167th Consecutive St. Patrick’s Parade in 1991.

It is, indeed, an honour for the United Irish Societies of Montreal to welcome Mr. James P. Coleman as Chief Reviewing Officer of the 186th Consecutive St. Patrick’s Parade.

2010 Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award

To Adrian Bercovici

Adrian Bercovici is an anti-poverty advocate, with broad practical experience. He is a recognized leader in charitable campaign planning and management with proven results while working at Canadian National Railways, the Old Brewery Mission and presently with the Generations Foundation.

While at Canadian National Railways, he and his wife, Natalie, raised a family while he attended night classes at Sir George Williams High School. In 1962, he was awarded a D.A. Budge Memorial Award for scholastic achievement and he received his Bachelor of Commerce “with distinction” from Sir George Williams University.

Mr. Bercovici’s career at Canadian National Railways spanned 38 years where he developed extensive experience in directing administrative and financial functions. Adrian received the Merit Award for organization and achievement and the Maurice Auzat Memorial Award for dedication and exceptional service to the Employees’ and Pensioners’ Community Fund.

During his tenure as Executive Director at the Old Brewery Mission, he developed a variety of programs that provided jobs for individuals to increase their self-esteem. The Patricia Mackenzie Pavilion, a women’s center, was built and opened under his watch and Camp Chapleau earned the “Prize of Excellence” from the Quebec Camping Association.

Adrian was awarded an outstanding Canadian Citizenship Award for unselfish service to the community, the Leavitt award from the Rotary Club, and other awards from the Police Department and learning institutions. Generations Foundation was founded in 1999 because Adrian Bercovici and his supporters refused to say no to hungry children. Generations Foundation focuses on feeding needy school children, teenagers and young adults at risk to motivate and empower them. The children are sponsored to summer camp each year and continue to learn and be challenged. Adrian Bercovici and supporters are devoted in their quest to provide support and opportunities for the underprivileged in our community.

The United Irish Societies of Montreal is pleased and privileged to present Adrian Bercovici with the Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award for the year 2010.

Simon McDonaugh

The Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award was established in 1993 to remember Simon McDonaugh's dedication to his heritage and humanitarian acts during his life. Simon's association with the United Irish Societies and the St. Patrick's parade resulted in him being Chief Deputy Marshal from 1940 to 1979. During those years he was the inspiration to the marshals and members for the successful implementation of the parades. For many years he took the responsibility, with his colleagues, to build the Reviewing Stands for dignitaries to review the parades. In later years, he was appointed an Honorary Life Member. His humanitarian lifestyle lives on through this award.

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2010 Liam Daly Heritage Award

Donald Pidgeon

Don Pidgeon is a Griffintown boy who has been involved in the Irish community and heritage from his early youth. His great love is his family, his wife Nancy, his children Jennifer and Jim and his granddaughter Romy.

Don has been active in the St. Ann’s Young Men’s Society, United Irish Societies of Montreal, the Irish Committee for Grosse Ile, Knights of Columbus, and St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen.

He successfully negotiated improvements at the Black Stone Monument on Bridge Street, has assisted many students doing “papers” for their education. Assisted writers and has written extensively about local and North American Irish history. He is also involved in bridging the lines of communication and cooperation to the Diaspora of the Irish globally. After the passing of Liam Daly, he became involved in the Liam Daly Endowment Fund of the Canadian Irish Studies Foundation and was a main proponent of the Liam Daly Heritage Award

The opportunity to speak to students, the media, and interested groups is of special importance to Don, sharing his knowledge of the Irish history of Montreal, Quebec, and Canada.

In accepting this award, Don acknowledges his family, the many colleagues he has worked with, and Liam Daly, whose influence on Montreal’s Irish community is immeasurable and not forgotten.

The United Irish Societies of Montreal is pleased and honoured to present Mr. Don Pidgeon with the Liam Daly Heritage Award for the year 2010.

LIAM DALY

A native son of Dublin, Ireland, Liam Daly, was proud of his Irish heritage. From the first day he arrived, through his talent, love and devotion, Liam volunteered his time to the continual presence of the Arts and the Irish Cultural in the City of Montreal Liam is missed by the Irish Community. As a tribute to him, the United Irish Societies of Montreal has created the Liam Daly Heritage Award which will be awarded to a worthy candidate who exemplifies Liam's love of his heritage and promotes the Irish heritage through the arts.

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