Was made a King's Counsel in 1935 - Appointed to Lincoln County Court Bench in Autumn of 1936 - He was also Juvenile Judge - Graduated from University of Toronto in 1896.
Former Lincoln County judge, a prominent legal reformer and well-known citizen, Judge James George Stuart Stanbury, K.C., passed away on Sunday at the family home, 14 Hillcrest Avenue, St. Catharines.
He had been in poor health for some time.
Born in Bayfield 77 years ago, the son of a doctor, he attended public school there, high school in Clinton and in Toronto. A Toronto University he completed a course in political economy and moderns, graduating in 1896.
Debating was one of his chief interests in college, and he was one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Intercollegiate Debating Union which has been in operation ever since. He had the distinction of being selected, along with the late Prime Minister Mackenzie King, who was one year ahead of him at college, to represent the university in a successful debate against McGill.
Another tribute to Judge Stanbury's position in university life was his election as president of the Literary and Scientific Society, which in those days was the student governing body for the entire university.
After obtaining his B.A. degree, he continued studies at Osgoode Hall Law School, and after graduation, he started to practise law in Exeter, remaining there for 37 years, and taking an active part in community life. He served on the board of education for 8 years and was president of the South Huron Liberal Association.
His interest in horticulture was deepened in Exeter, where for 16 years he was secretary-treasurer of the Horticultural Society, winning Canadian and regional awards for his own gladioli. Later he transferred to roses and from early spring to late fall, the judge used to appear with a dewy-fresh rose in his buttonhole.
Made a King's Counsel in December 1935, Judge Stanbury was appointed county judge for Lincoln the following autumn. He was also appointed juvenile judge for the county and county when he entered upon his new duties here, and considered the latter one of the most vital phases of his work. For 12 years he applied vigour and understanding to the task.
He has little sympathy with the existing methods of dealing with juvenile crime, largely because he had seen the fine results obtained by Judge John R. Mott, of Toronto, who applied kindness and trust to delinquent youngsters. Shortly after coming to St. Catharines, he called a citizens' meeting to organize the Big Brother movement in which juvenile delinquents, instead of being sent to reform school where they probably developed further criminal traits, were placed in charge of citizens who vouched for them and held themselves responsible for their future good behaviour. He gave the Big Brother movement much credit for the small number of juvenile delinquency cases in St. Catharines.
His interest in preventing juvenile delinquency strengthened Judge Stanbury's life-long interest in sports. HE felt that all youngsters were bubbling over with life and energy, and should have some outlet for it. Sports was his choice of a healthy channel for this energy. Lacrosse and hockey were his favourite sports, and he was a familiar figure in the stands whenever the home teams played here.
[dignity of courts, abolition of grand jury, naturalization and citizenship]
Active in fraternal affairs, he was a member of the Cedars of Lebanon Lodge, A.F. & A.M., the I.O.O.F. Lodge, and the I.O.F., all of Exeter. He was a prominent churchman, being a member and elder of Knox Presbyterian Church and served on many of the committees of the General Assembly; he was also a member of the Board of Administration of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. He was a member of the St. Catharines Rotary Club.
During the First World War, he served as a member of the Reserve Army, and was a member of the Canadian Legion. He was also a member of the Canadian Bar Association and a charter member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
A firm believer in strong Christian family life, Judge Stanbury was always proud of his 5 sons and 3 daughters. He is survived by his widow, the former Elizabeth Jean Hardy, 3 daughters: Mrs. George F. (Helen) Newberry of Toronto, Mrs. Stanley (Jean) McPortland of Chatham, Mrs. Ernest W. (Elaine) Spencer of Fort Erie; and 5 sons: Dr. W. Stuart Stanbury, Kenneth C. Stanbury, Richard J. Stanbury and Robert D. Stanbury, all of Toronto, and John L. Stanbury of St. Catharines. A sister, Mrs. Robert Stelck, of Edmonton, Alta, and 16 grandchildren also survive.
