We Remember

STEVENS-GUILLE, Honourable Justice Michael George
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 pm, at Benvoulin Heritage Church, 2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the KGH Foundation.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm
Location
Benvoulin Heritage Church, 2279 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for STEVENS-GUILLE, Honourable Justice Michael George is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
My deepest condolences to you, Gayle, and your family on the loss of Michael. He was a witty and warm person and I know the loss will be great Sending you my love, Carol
Gayle, we are very sorry to hear of Michael’s passing and send our heartfelt condolences. May your many wonderful memories give you comfort at this difficult time. Lois & Mike Stefaniuk
Dearest Gail, I was sad to learn of Michael’s death. I know how it will change your life but memories will help and the support of families and friends. If in Edmonton please give me a call. I seem to have lost you email. My condolences to the families and love and hugs to you. Marion Boyd
I was saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. He was a great friend to me and my late husband Peter Jasper both professionally and personally when we were starting out in our law practices. We often enjoyed the company of Karen, Robin, Gillian and Iain when they were very little, for holidays like Halloween. I send condolences to them especially at this sad time.
Shelley Miller
Our deepest condolences to you Gayle.
Very sad to read this.
We met you and Michael both in Edmonton with our many visits to your beautiful home in south Edmonton. As I’m sure you remember Rodway Electric. Michael was always so engaging….. we talked about old cars etc. Then years later I bumped into Gayle in Kelowna at Sav-On Foods.
It was such a pleasure to know you both.
Keep the beautiful memories close to your heart. Michael you will be missed. RIP
Rod & Sandy Libke
Kelowna, B.C
Gayle,
Wayne and I send you our thoughts. We’ve missed you since you and Michael left Riverbend. Happy to read of the good times you shared. Kind best wishes.
Gwen
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Michael was a friend and colleague who welcomed us to his home when we were posted to Edmonton in 1986. We were co counsel on the Laycraft Inquiry and worked together on the Blood Inquiry. Regrettably, distance and work did not allow me to keep in touch but he will be always remembered as a special person and good friend. May he rest in peace.
I was saddened to learn of Mike’s passing . I had the privilege of working with Mike at McLennan Ross and we spent a lot of time together working with him on the Blood Indian Inquiry .
I had to smile at the mention that he liked to explore the “back road routes to various towns”, which we did a lot of in southern Alberta.
He was a great lawyer and a very kind person. Gayle, my thoughts are with you.
Condolences;
I knew Michael for several years as fellow Kinsmen in Edmonton. He was a very private and complex individual with what I consider a well above average intelligence. A deep thinker and a very engaging conversationalist once a bond was established him and our deep conversations were very engaging. When he moved from Edmonton I missed him. A greater man than he projected.
Gayle,
We are so very sorry to learn of Michael’s passing. We will always remember Michael’s great mind, his comments about Deb’s vehicles of choice, the way he so deeply cared for you and you for him. We are thinking of you today and always!