THE FAM

Sister to Todd, Mother to Deek and Francois

Our matriarch; our mama bear. Jill began working here in 1985, doing the books, and learning the ropes. Her dad, James, who bought into the business in 1966, brought her on during a transitional period for the business. She worked with Pierre, her late husband and father to Deek & Francois, until he retired in 1998. She then took over management of the bar and rooming house. She guided the business into a new era as the smoking bylaw was introduced in 2001. That bylaw changed the way the industry was run, so diversifying the business was a necessity. In 2015, the next big change happened, and Jill championed the change back to the Laff’s original roots, hosting live music and welcoming happy customers. You’ll find her lugging cases of liquor from her car, bent over her desk working on various licenses, and negotiating rates for the business. She’s also a big fan of live music and enjoys occasionally catching a set with her hunny.

Brother to Jill, Uncle to Deek and Francois

TODDDDD aka “The Toddfather” began working for the Laff in 2003 when the Quiznos was introduced. It was a time when the bar was undergoing changes due to the smoking ban in bars, and the clientele was shifting. Todd helped Jill manage the Quiznos, and took over some of the repairs and maintenance of the bar and the rooming house above the bar. Todd was an integral member of the renovation team who tore out the Quiznos and brought the Laff back to life. Today, he maintains the equipment, and leaseholds, ensuring things are running smoothly. He’s oft found enjoying a pint and getting to know all the regulars.

Son of Jill, Brother of Deek, Nephew of Todd

Whether you call him Foof, Frenchie, Frankie or Francois, he’s worked at the Laff most of his life, beginning when he was only fourteen years old bussing ashtrays and emptying quart bottles during the Lucky Ron Show. Moving to Vancouver in 2008, he worked in various positions in different restaurants and bars, and earned his WSET level 3 while managing the Wine Room bar at Joey Bentall One. Upon his return to Ottawa in 2014, he was welcomed back to his home here at the Laff with open arms. While his duties are too many to list, his main focus remains on the daily operations of the bar, including things like beer selection (and tasting!), communication with staff and customers as well as ensuring we deliver the highest level of service possible.

Daughter of Jill, Sister of Francois, Niece of Todd

Deek Deek Dominique is the General Manager at the Laff, and not unlike her brother, started working here at a young age, serving food in the summertime. She had a small grocery cart equipped with coffee, pastries, and pop, and would go around to all the flower and vegetable vendors on the market, taking lunch orders and getting to know the neighbourhood. Throughout the years, she’s worked nearly every position available in the business: bussing tables, working in the kitchen, bartending, making subs in the Quiznos, bookkeeping, marketing, managing, and so on. In 2007, after completing her diploma in Marketing at Algonquin College, and learning everything about Accounting she could from her late grandfather, Deek found herself in a full time position ushering the bar into the 21st century, adding social media, a website, and managing the staff and accounting. Today, she’s relinquished some control to her supportive family, and continues to manage the marketing, advertising, and oversees all operations for the bar.