Legacy Spotlight: In Memory of Stephen Wessler

Mid-March of this year, ILAP started receiving donations in memory of Stephen (Steve) Wessler, a trickle at first, soon to become a steady stream of gifts memorializing the love and compassion that Steve embodied in his life’s work.

Steve Wessler, a life-long advocate for civil and human rights in Maine and beyond, died on March 10, 2025. Steve believed, as was shared in his obituary, that acts of courage and decency, small or large, can bring some justice or repair to an ailing and often cruel world. He acted on that belief with rigor and unflinching integrity and held that it was the obligation of others to do the same. Read Stephen Wessler’s full obituary here.

Steve worked tirelessly for the rights of marginalized communities, dedicating countless hours to advocacy and direct legal action. Whether he was developing a new civil rights enforcement unit for the Attorney General’s office, co-launching the Civil Rights Team Project, or founding the Center for Preventing Hate at the University of Southern Maine, he remained a steadfast ally to those whose voices were often ignored.

His unwavering commitment to justice and equality inspired others, creating a ripple effect that Steve and his family wanted to see continue beyond his life, so they asked family and loved ones to contribute in his memory to two organizations making an impact for the communities he defended fearlessly: Preble Street (www.preblestreet.org), which addresses homelessness and hunger in Maine, and ILAP to support our work advancing justice for immigrants throughout the state.

The response was unprecedented. We received dozens of donations – online gifts, checks in the mail, DAF distributions and stock gifts - valued at over $6,000 from friends, family, colleagues, and even people that didn’t know him personally but admired his work. This outpouring was a true testament to who Stephen Wessler was and his legacy will live on through these gifts, which will touch the lives of thousands of immigrants in Maine.

The gifts ILAP received in Steve’s memory were often accompanied with heartfelt notes about his legacy:

“We honor the memory of Steve Wessler and his tireless, remarkable work, which his sons carry on. Thank you, ILAP, for your work.”

“Steve Wessler was a Maine treasure who made a tremendous mark on the human and civil rights of people in our state, particularly immigrants and other marginalized people. As the child of an immigrant, I am deeply grateful to him. Further more, he was a great dad...May his memory be a blessing. ”