Windsor-Essex's legal community is mourning the passing of a prominent defence lawyer.
Brian Ducharme, whose criminal law practice specialized in defending people accused of impaired driving, died Wednesday at his home in Tecumseh. He was 71. The family has not confirmed the cause of death.
Ducharme had operated his law practice in Windsor since 1988 and was widely recognized and respected as an authority on impaired driving defence. According to his law firm's official website, Ducharme had extensive knowledge of impaired driving case strategy and police procedure. He was also a certified operator of two different models of the Intoxilyzer, which analyzes breath-alcohol samples.
Ducharme was also active in the Liberal Party at both the federal and provincial levels. He was the federal Liberal candidate for Essex in the 1984 election but lost to Steven Langdon of the NDP.
According to his obituary from Families First, Ducharme was active with many organizations, including The Windsor Club, Beach Grove Golf and Country Club, and the Windsor Yacht Club, where he served as commodore in 1994.
He is survived by his partner Claudine and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. His previous wife, Judy, passed away in 2019.
Visitation is Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., then Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., then 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Families First on Lauzon Road in Windsor. A funeral Mass is set for Monday at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Parish in Lakeshore. Reservations and face coverings are required for both events and can be made here.
