j Judge Tausendfreund Story continued from page 1. "I've become very comfortable in a Courtroom but always from the perspec- tive of an advocate. And now I'll be called upon to look down upon the combatants and be expected to bring some order to their submissions," he said with a smile. "I'll never change. I'll still be Wolf, except Judge Wolf." Tausendfreund said he's "chomping at the bit" to begin his new duties behind the bench, presiding over trials of more serious criminal cases, family matters, involving property and divorces and civil trials. Tausendfreund, who plans on com- muting between London and his William Street home in Belleville, applied last spring for a position with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The federal government announced the appointment of 10 judges across Canada this week. Tausendfreund is one of four judges appointed in Ontario and he will preside over cases in the south- western region of Ontario, from Wind- sor to London. He is the second Belleville lawyer to be appointed a judge this summer. The Ontario government appointed criminal lawyer Robert Graydon to the Ontario Court of Justice. Working in London will almost be like coming home for Tausendfreund, who grew up there. "My mother and stepfather emigrated from Germany and we stepped off the train in London, Ont. Aug. 16,1957, with me not knowing any English whatsoever. I remember it like it was yesterday," he said. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario and law school, Tausendfreund moved to Belleville in 1972. He started two small law firms before becoming a partner in 1984 in O'Flynn Weese Tausendfreund at 65 Bridge St. E. "Based on my varied litigation back- ground, I feel comfortable in litigation matters touching on issues of criminal, family, commercial, real estate, employ- ment, insurance and estate matters," he said. Tausendfreund and his wife Elaine have two children. He served as a Belleville city councillor from 1985 to 2000 and was past presi- dent of the Rotary Club of Belleville, YMCA and Belleville Sales and Ad Club. He also chaired the Belleville Police Services Board and Hastings and Prince Edward Mental Health Services. Athletics has remained an important component of Tausendfreund1 s life as well. He helped establish the Belleville Youth Swim Team and the Belleville Bull- dogs Rugby Club. During the 1980s, he participated in various marathon and triathlon races, including the famous Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii for two years. Tausendfreund said being an immi- grant allows him to see cultural and eth- nic Canadian diversity with objectivity, understanding and compassion. "These attributes, along with my abil- ity and willingness to listen, and a sense of humility, I expect, would serve me well (as a judge)," he said.