Stanley Harwood McCuaig

Stanley Harwood McCuaig, (February 11, 1891 – March 6, 1986), was a prominent Canadian lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta and former president of the Canadian Bar Association and Law Society of Alberta.

Early life and education McCuaig was born at Bainsville, Ontario, the eldest son of Duncan Donald McCuaig and Catherine (née McIntosh) McCuaig. He attended primary school in Bainsville, and high school in Williamstown and Glencoe. Upon graduation, he briefly attended normal school in Cornwall, Ontario, before enrolling in Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario in 1909. An active student, he served as manager for the Queen's University hockey team, first vice president of the Alma Mater Society, and at various points the orator, secretary, and president of the Arts Association.

During the summers between his studies and for a year following graduation, Stanley obtained work with his uncle John Duncan McArthur, a prominent railway contractor, as a timekeeper and paymaster for the Hudson's Bay Railway. In 1914, he moved west to Edmonton, Alberta, where he became a law student at the University of Alberta and articled underneath Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the former premier of Alberta. He fought on the Western Front with the Canadian Corps until October when he was offered a medal or officers' training by a commanding officer. The wedding took place in the Rutherford family home, now a museum. Together, the couple had four children: two sons and two daughters.

McCuaig and his family were long-time members of First Presbyterian Church of Edmonton. The family were also active in the Edmonton community. Stanley served on the boards of many organizations, including the United Way, and as chairman of the board for both the Misrecordia Hospital and of the Sisters of Our Lady in Refuge.

In 1936, McCuaig purchased a summer cottage for Hazel at Kapasiwin as a birthday present. The same year, he was elected to the Kapasiwin Summer Village Council. He served on the village council until 1942.

Legal career McCuaig practiced with the Rutherford firm for many years, becoming a full partner in 1923 alongside his brother-in-law Cecil Rutherford. In 1939, he left to establish his own firm, McCuaig, Desrochers, Beckingham & McDonald, which continues today as McCuaig Desrochers LLP. In 1948, his son Eric McCuaig joined the firm. McCuaig practiced law in Edmonton for almost 60 years, setting very high practice standards for himself and for the firm.

In 1949 and 1950, McCuaig was the president of the Canadian Bar Association, a voluntary professional association of lawyers across Canada. He was also made an honorary member of the American Bar Association in 1949.

Death and Honours Following a lengthy illness, McCuaig died in Edmonton on February 11, 1986. He is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Throughout his life, he received many awards in recognition of his public and legal. In 1949, Queen's University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 1972 he was named to the Order of Canada and received the Bene Merenti medal from Pope Paul VI the following year for his work with charitable causes, including the Misericordia Hospital and Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (Halifax).