Manitoba Justice Kris Stefanson, 71, dies

Manitoba Justice Kris Stefanson, 71, has died.

Stefanson practised law both as private counsel and as a Crown attorney before he was appointed to provincial court in 1979.

He went on to become chief judge of the provincial court in 1988 before his appointment to the Court of Queen's Bench in 1993.

"Justice Stefanson was an extremely hard-working and respected member of the court," a statement from the Manitoba Court of Queen's bench reads. "He was known and loved for his good humour and collegial spirit."

Ties with Icelanders

Stefanson was also an active member of Manitoba's Icelandic community and was heavily involved in the annual Icelandic Festival of Manitoba.

"Kris always treated everyone with joy, love and respect," said Robbie Rousseau, president of the festival. He and Stefanson were friends and worked together on the festival for three decades.

"It was an extremely important role that he played over the last 30 years, building those relationships with the government of Iceland and with important people in Iceland, bridging that gap between New Iceland and Iceland," Rousseau said.

"One of my first trips to Iceland I was checking into a hotel and the manager of the hotel asked if I knew Kris Stefanson, because Kris had stayed there and had made such a mark on the manager of the hotel. And the manager had no idea that I had anything to do with the Icelandic Festival and just knew I was from Canada and just asked if I knew who Kris Stefanson was.

"I think a lot of us are in shock because we're wondering how different it's going to be," Rousseau said. "I think he's comfortable in knowing that everyone he worked with is going to be able to carry the torch."

Stefanson died on Thursday.