Hon. Lloyd George McKenzie

McKENZIE _ Hon. Lloyd George, Q.C., was born August 20, 1918, died October 29, 2005, at Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver, after suffering a stroke. He was born in Penticton, B.C., moved to Victoria with his family at age 10 when his father became Minister of Mines and Labour in the Tolmie Administration, and except while on military service and at law school lived there for 46 years. After two years at Victoria College, he enlisted in the Westminster Regiment and married Betty (nee Maharey) before leaving for Europe, where he served as an infantry officer throughout the Italian campaign. On his return, in 1945, he enrolled in the first class at the UBC Faculty of Law, of which he became class President, articled to J. Howard Harman, Q.C., and thereafter practised for 26 years with the Harman firm. He was President of the Victoria Bar, a Bencher of the Law Society of B.C. and for 19 years a Governor of the University of Victoria, including a term as Chairman. He had a widely-varied practice, appearing for the Crown or accused in numerous criminal prosecutions and acting for the Province in notable civil suits, including the B.C. Electric takeover litigation and several major taxation cases, before being appointed in 1974 to the B.C. Supreme Court, which required that he move to Vancouver. During 1977-78 he was Chairman of the Royal Commission on the B.C. Railway. After retirement from the bench, in 1993, he acted for 10 years as Information Officer for the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, a position without precedent in which he dealt daily with the media, often on important issues about which sitting judges cannot speak. He is survived by Betty, his treasured companion for more than 60 years; also by Anthony McKenzie, nephew, Barbara (Mark) Pimlott, cousin, and extended family: Frank and Patricia Smith, Andrea Smith, Clyde (Linda) Smith, Kathleen (Lyn) Brooks and Frances (Ian) Murray. In accordance with Lloyd's wishes there will be no service. The family asks that no flowers be sent.