Memorable Manitobans: Ian Ventress Dubienski (1921-1998)

Lawyer, judge.

Born at Winnipeg on 4 March 1921, son of Bernard Bronislaw Dubienski and Amy Elizabeth Ventress (?-1988), he graduated from the University of Manitoba law school in 1945 and was called to the bar in 1947. He became a Queen’s Counsel and a provincial magistrate in 1961, rising to Chief Judge of the Provincial Judges’ Court (Criminal Division), replacing Harold Gyles.

On 5 June 1947, he married Jocelyn Adele Saul and they had four sons and two daughters before divorcing. Active on many national and community boards, he was Chair of the first Canadian Conference on Aboriginal Justice in 1973 and the National Congress on the Prevention of Crime in 1981. He researched and wrote on crime, justice, mental health, and Aboriginal issues. He was the author of The Police Function in Canada (1981).

In recognition of his community service, he received a Canadian Centennial Medal (1967), Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1989), and 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation Medal (1992).

He died at Winnipeg on 1 January 1998.

Sources:

“Dubienski-Saul bridal held in Westminster Church,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 June 1947, page 10.

“Judge noted for leniency, concern,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 January 1998, page 5.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 4 January 1998, page 85.

Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 11 December 2024

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:

Custom Search

Browse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Browse deaths occurring in:
1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca

Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements

Help us keep
history alive!