Saturday, January 27, Denis Beaudin, Montreal Nadeau representative, received special tribute for his several years of services in Quebec’s insulation association, Association d’isolation du Québec (AIQ). More than 60 people attended the evening in order to pay tribute to Denis, who has an impressive track record within the industry and the AIQ.
“Denis, we are proud to have you as a member of the team and all of your NNISI team mates thank you for your important contribution to our industry,” said Daniel Desbiens, president of the AIQ.
The day Denis Beaudin was honoured at the AIQ, Denis was surprised at first and then didn’t want the attention, says Remi Demers, TIAC’s Director of Quebec and long-time close friend of Denis’.
“But we told him he deserved it,” said Demers. “You can ask about Denis Beaudin from Vancouver to St. Johns and across the country and people will know him and respect him.”
Denis took on the nickname Mr. Insulation in the late 90s mid-way through a long and successful career in the industry that started in 1974 with Johns Manville and included time with five manufacturers and four distributors over the years.
“Everywhere he went it was the same,” said Demers. “People were sorry when he left and everyone loved him. He didn’t have any enemies because he never said a word against his competitors. Even the competitors loved him.”
Denis started as a board member with the AIQ in the early 90s, and continued this role on an off over two decades. He was Chairman on several TIAC conference committees, including 1992 in Quebec City, 1999 in Montreal, 2005 in Mont Tremblant, and 2012 in Quebec City for TIAC’s 50th anniversary.
“After the 2012 conference,” said Remi, “Denis sat down with me and he said, ‘I’ve done lots of things in the insulation business but this was probably my greatest accomplishment.’
“That is because for him it is never about the money or the company he works for; it is for everyone,” said Demers. “It is about having everyone in the country getting together, making sure everything fine with them, making sure everyone is happy to come back, and creating a sense of being united.”
Denis was part of the TIAC board since 2002 and chairperson of the technical committee from 2008 to 2017. Remi said Denis Beaudin is the reason he became involved in TIAC, after Beaudin invited him to attend his first conference—the 1992 event in Quebec City.
“We had a young family and not a lot of money and I was hardly speaking English, but I went and met a lot of guys and made some good friends,” said Demers. “I came back to TIAC in 1998 and joined the board of directors. Denis, he encouraged me.”
Remi said Denis Beaudin brought important knowledge and legacy to the provincial and national associations that will be missed, and he hopes to be able to call on Beaudin’s experience on future short-term projects.
“He is well-respected and we have been lucky to have him,” said Demers. “So many good memories.”
