Paul Danyliu went to bat for the underdog countless times in his career as a criminal defence lawyer, and now, after his recent passing, he is being remembered by friends, family, former colleagues and members of his Coldstream community as a beacon of hope for those down on their luck.
Danyliu passed away in early March at the age of 79 after a two-year battle with cancer.
He was a highly regarded legal mind even in his later years, getting calls from lawyers at Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Nixon Wenger asking for his advice on cases as recently as five years ago.
Danyliu is survived by his three children and his wife, Marilyn.
He lived in Coldstream for more than 50 years, and established himself as one of the pre-eminent defence lawyers in the valley.
害羞草研究所淗e always had young lawyers who studied under him, because he had acquired the reputation of being the best criminal lawyer in the Okanagan,害羞草研究所� said Danyliu害羞草研究所檚 brother, Andy Danyliu.
害羞草研究所淗e was very sympathetic to the underdog,害羞草研究所� Andy said, adding his brother had a soft spot for people charged with drug possession, and would often defend them pro bono.
害羞草研究所淗e wouldn害羞草研究所檛 charge money for possession of marijuana, on principle,害羞草研究所� Andy said 害羞草研究所� and this was amid the war on drugs that U.S. President Richard Nixon declared in 1971.
害羞草研究所淗e would charge people what they could afford. He wasn害羞草研究所檛 in it for the money, he was in it for the challenge, for the achievement,害羞草研究所� Andy said.
Darci Proudlove, Danyliu害羞草研究所檚 daughter, said her father was 害羞草研究所渁n amazing man and an amazing lawyer,害羞草研究所� whose 害羞草研究所渋ntelligence and brilliance was beyond anything.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淗e helped so many people who otherwise may not have been helped,害羞草研究所� Proudlove said.
BC Supreme Court Justice Allan Betton worked as a lawyer with Nixon Wenger from 1985 to 2007, and got to know Danyliu during that time. When Betton was still 害羞草研究所渨et behinds the ears害羞草研究所� and looking to get some court experience, Danyliu was the defence counsel in one of the first cases he prosecuted.
害羞草研究所淪o there was 23-year-old me who害羞草研究所檚 got virtually no experience, and Paul, who was a bit of a legend around that time, in the prime of his practice,害羞草研究所� Betton told The Morning Star.
Betton said Danyliu was well ahead of his time when it came to defending cases of possession of controlled substances. He described Danyliu害羞草研究所檚 aura in the courtroom; Danyliu was sturdily built with a 害羞草研究所渂ooming, dominant sort of voice and presence害羞草研究所� which he used to his full advantage.
Betton said he learned a lot about what it takes to be a successful lawyer from Danyliu.
害羞草研究所淚 learned quickly that to be effective as a litigator, and especially in the criminal realm, you害羞草研究所檝e got to be prepared, you害羞草研究所檝e got to be confident and you have to be prepared to stand your ground when you害羞草研究所檙e right,害羞草研究所� Betton said. 害羞草研究所淚 do credit Paul for teaching me that early in my career.害羞草研究所�
Betton said that outside the courtroom, Danyliu was a compassionate person with a great sense of humour, and was someone he became friends with over time.
害羞草研究所淗e always had a story, always could give you an example of an experience he had, and was always willing to help.害羞草研究所�
Danyliu was an athlete growing up and stayed physically fit through his passion for Aikido, a Japanese martial art. He opened a dojo which stood next to the Lincoln Lanes bowling alley in Vernon for many years.
害羞草研究所淭here are many graduates of his school still in Vernon,害羞草研究所� Andy said.
A celebration of life for Danyliu was held at Alexander害羞草研究所檚 Pub in Vernon Thursday, April 4.
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