THE HONORABLE JUSTICE OMER ARCHAMBAULT
passed away peacefully on October 19, 2016 at the age of 78. He was born in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan where he attended primary school and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa at Collège Mathieu in Gravelbourg. He wed Lorraine, the love of his life, in February of 1963. After receiving his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan and being admitted to the Bar in 1964, he practiced law for a few years in Gravelbourg and Prince Albert. In 1970, at age 32, he was appointed to the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan in Prince Albert where he presided for 25 years. During this time, because of his expertise in criminal law, he was seconded to the Federal Government in Ottawa for a period of 10 years (1977-1987) where he worked as a consultant towards reforming of the Young Offenders Act and subsequently chaired the Canadian Sentencing Commission. Following his return to the Bench in Prince Albert in 1987 he was then elevated to the Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina in 1995. He retired from the Queen’s Bench in 2003 when he and Lorraine then settled in Gatineau, Québec to be near their children and rapidly growing grandchildren.
His favorite pass times were making us laugh, playing golf, cards and fishing with family and friends as well as participating in theatre productions with Lorraine.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine; his loving children: Daniel, Joanne (Guy Baron) and Roger (Gaetane Forget); 10 beautiful grandchildren: Jonathan, Nicholas, Catherine, Alexe, Olivier, Alexis, Myriam, Dominique, Gabrielle and Patrick. He will also be remembered affectionately by his siblings: sisters Doris (Clément Gaudet), Dolores (Eugène Vachon), Anne-Marie (Raymond Perepelitza); his brothers: René (Marie-Rose) and Gérard, in-laws Lucile, Ian, Gerald and Anita as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents: Rodolphe and Marie-Honora; his sisters: Jeannine and Denise and brother Lucien. The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 11 a.m. in St. Médard Church, 25, rue St-Médard, Gatineau (Aylmer). A Celebration of his life will be held in Saskatchewan next summer, details to be announced later.
The family wishes to express their profound and heartfelt gratitude to the staff at La Maison Mathieu Froment-Savoie for the excellent and compassionate care they provided to their loved one. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers donations to La Maison Mathieu Froment-Savoie www.mmfs.org would be deeply appreciated. For more information: 819-684-1155. Life Stories and tributes can be shared online by visiting our website: www.racinerobertgauthier.ca