News

From the Desk of CC Christine Lank

Lions of Montana, I wanted to let you know about the sudden passing of Past International President, Justice Brian Stevenson, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. PIP Justice Stevenson was elected to serve as the international president at the Lions’ 70th International Convention, held in Taipei, Taiwan, in July 1987.

PIP Justice Stevenson was a proud Lion since 1966 and a member of the Calgary Northeast Eyeopener Lions Club, and he held numerous roles within the association, including district governor, council chairperson (74-75), member of the association’s board of directors (77-79), a presidential appointee to the international board on five occasions, and served as a board trustee for Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). For his many contributions, Past International President Stevenson received the 100% District Governor Award, the Senior Master Key, 38 International Presidents’ Awards, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the association’s highest honor granted to its members. He was a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, along with his wife, Lion Patricia.

He wanted to leave this world a better place than how he inherited it through his work with the association, so he served as Canada’s constitutional area leader on the Global Membership Team, as the Canadian advisor on the LCIF Development Advisory Committee, and as Canada’s representative on the association’s Centennial Committee. He also represented Canada on the Vice-Presidential Candidates Evaluation Committee.

Past International President Stevenson served the community as a Lion, and as a dedicated and long-serving judge. PIP Stevenson retired from the Calgary justice system in December of 2024. While no official records are kept, it’s believed that Justice Stevenson spent more than 50 years on the bench, making him the longest-serving judge in Canadian history. Before being appointed as a judge in 1974, he was a partner in a Calgary law firm and served as a special prosecutor of narcotic offences for the Canadian Department of Justice.

In 1996, the City of Calgary recognized his substantial contributions by awarding him the Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award of Merit. In 2005, the Province of Alberta recognized his service to Alberta with the Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2002, Justice Stevenson was honored by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the Golden Jubilee Medal, and in 2023, he was again honored by receiving the Platinum Jubilee Medal. Not only did our association and our Lions benefit from Justice Stevenson’s passion, he also served as an advisor to Calgary’s United Way, as president of the Calgary Social Planning Council, and as a member of the City of Calgary Social Services Committee. He has also served as president of the Alberta Provincial Judges’ Association and as chair of the International Year of Disabled Persons for the Province of Alberta.

But his greatest achievement was his family, his beloved Patricia, who left his side in 2022, his blended family of four daughters, 24 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

PIP Brian Stevenson showed us what great leadership looks like, and his courage in serving humanity, his gentle manner, humor, and love of life and people should guide us all. Let’s remember what his life taught us and continue his work together. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Below is the link for Judge Brian’s celebration of Life:

https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/edenbrook/obituaries/brian-stevenson/156380.html

The family wanted to accommodate Brian’s Lions family, so they are holding it on Monday after our MD Convention, which is in Grande Prairie. They also had his Law family to work with, hence the 4 pm start.  The Red & White club is close to the Calgary Stampeders home stadium, McMahon Stadium.

Vice President Mark & Lion Lyn are staying in Calgary on Sunday night so they can attend on Monday. They are our guests at the convention. We are making arrangements at the Best Western Plus Village Park Inn 1804 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary AB T2M 3Y7 (403) 289-0241.  The Village Park Inn is across the street (Crowchild Trail) from McMahon Stadium and the Red & White Club. 

Take care 

CC Christine Lank