I rise in this honourable House to pay tribute to the late Judge Michael J. Monaghan, who passed away on April 27^th following a valiant battle with cancer.

For nearly two years since his appointment in June 2006, he served as the Provincial Court Judge in Stephenville, capping a wonderful career in law and community service in this province reaching back four decades.

He was a lawyer�s lawyer and a judge�s judge, in that he brought to his practice and the bench a human, practical, realistic, intelligent yet compassionate side that few are fortunate enough to possess.

Following his graduation from Dalhousie Law School, he spent most of his career practising criminal law, family law and civil litigation in Corner Brook, where he partnered with both our current Minister of Finance and the current chief justice of the province�s Supreme Court of Appeal, former Premier Clyde Wells.

Named Queen�s Counsel in 1983, he also was a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland, the Canadian Bar Association, the Rotary Club of Corner Brook and the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade. He held directorships at Air Canada, the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation, Gateway Cable Limited and the Nursing Advisory Board of the Western Memorial Hospital Corporation.

He was a former president of the Victorian Order of Nurses and, more recently, he served our province on the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation board of directors and the Ireland Business Partnerships advisory board.

Judge Monaghan demonstrated a strong commitment to his region and his province by standing as a candidate in both federal and provincial elections � and all of us in this House recognize the commitment and sacrifices required to stand as a candidate.

He was a truly exceptional family man, lawyer and judge, a dedicated business leader, a tireless volunteer and � to me personally � a valued friend. Mike and his treasured wife of 38 years, Uschi, raised a wonderful family and brought their intense passion for this province to friends all over the world.

Both professionally and personally, Mike made a profoundly positive difference in the lives of innumerable people and served our province with pride and distinction.

His unique laugh and his back slapping humour lit up every room he entered. It was always a pleasure to be in his presence. I personally will miss him, as will countless others in Corner Brook, Stephenville, throughout the west coast, across our province and around the world.

I ask all Members to join me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the Monaghan family and our sincere appreciation for all they have contributed to the betterment of Newfoundland and Labrador.