MICHAEL GEORGE STEVENS-GUILLE

HONOURABLE JUSTICE MICHAEL GEORGE STEVENS-GUILLE, May 2, 1939 - February 14, 2025. Michael George Stevens-Guille passed away peacefully, on February 14, 2025, at the age of 85, following a Valentine's Day dinner with his beloved wife and best friend, Gayle. Michael will be greatly missed by his children, Karen (Ian Johns), Robin, Gillian (Russell) Bennett, and Iain (Shaena Dean); his grandchildren, Jasper and Audrey Johns; and Eli, Ezzi, and Hannah Bennett. Michael is also survived by his twin sister, Hester E. A. Richer. He loved them all so very deeply. Michael will also be very much missed by Gayle's family. Born on May 2, 1939, in Calgary, the family moved to Edmonton during his early childhood. Michael attended St. John's-Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg, winning the Governor General's Academic Medal, before obtaining his BA at the University of Alberta and LLB at the University of British Columbia. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1963, marking the beginning of a distinguished career as a litigator. He was fair, ethical and loved the courtroom. Michael possessed keen insight into the frailty of human nature. His empathy, kindness, and wit informed his work for the court as much as it informed the way he lived his life. In addition to his role as a litigator, Michael also conducted special prosecutions. He was counsel for the R.C.M.P. in the Laycraft inquiry and a commission counsel for the Blood Tribe Policing Inquiry. He was a Bencher of the Law Society of Alberta for two terms, an executive member of the Legal Aid Society of Alberta, Vice President of the Legal Education Society of Alberta, and Chair of the Alberta Board of Review, now the Criminal Code Review Board. On April 5, 1995, Michael was appointed Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, Rural Division - a circuit well suited to Michael, who preferred exploring back road routes to various towns across the Alberta countryside. Michael would later retire from the bench as a Justice in the Edmonton criminal court in 2012. Michael was also deeply invested in his community. In Edmonton, he served as director of the Kinsmen Club, director of the Goodwill Rehabilitation Society, and director of the Gateway Association, which empowers people with developmental disabilities. Michael also served as Vice President of what is now called Inclusion Alberta, advocating on behalf of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. In retirement, Gayle and Michael settled in Kelowna, BC, and travelled the world by sea, air, and train. When Michael wasn't rooting for the Oilers, Elks, or the Yankees (being a BC fan was a bridge too far), he was collecting books, favoring the classics or military history, as well as model cars. The last 14 years in the Okanagan were spent with the dear friends Gayle and Michael made while enjoying the very best of the Okanagan's vineyards. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Benvoulin Heritage Church, 2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KGH Foundation (www.kghfoundation.com). Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.