Frederick Henry Main

Obituary

Passed on

MAY 16, 1938 – JANUARY 25, 2026

It is with extreme sadness I announce the passing of Henry Main, late of Spruceview Farms Balmoral, at Betel Personal Care Home, Selkirk after a long struggle with dementia on Sunday, January 25, 2026 in his 88^th year.

He was born in Mrs. Scott’s Maternity Home in Stonewall, May 16, 1938 to Horace and Eleanor Main (Clarke) their fourth child and only son. He grew up on the family farm a mile and a half west of Balmoral attending Balmoral Consolidated School and then enrolled in the Agriculture Diploma Course graduating with Honours. He earned a number of awards during his two year programme the high light and culmination being chosen upon graduation to have dinner with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at Government House in Winnipeg.

Henry was first and foremost a farmer and horticulturist taking over the family farm where he farmed a half section grain farm and established a successful 1100 head farrow to finish hog operation. He planted many spruce on his farm adding to the ones his father, Horace had planted initially. He tended a huge garden and had an orchard of fruit trees west of his house. He was very involved in community, being a very active member of the Balmoral 4-H Swine Club, Leader to the Balmoral Club and later to the Stonewall District 4-H Senior Members Club. He co-hosted an exchange trip with a club in Sarasota Florida. He served on the Hall Board, the Rec Centre and Balmoral United Church and Presbytery later attending the Church of the Ascension in Stonewall. He enrolled in and graduated with a Business Administration certificate from Red River Community College. He sold the farm in the fall of 1988 having already purchased a house at 118 Whitegates Crescent in the Westwood Area of Winnipeg. He had upon settling in on Whitegates Crescent formed his own private landscaping business. He joined the Congregation of St. Andrews, Woodhaven where he soon became an integral part of the newly formed Men’s Club. He was licensed as a Lay reader and was a valuable member of the team assisting with services and contributing to the ongoing life of the Church. Henry worked at first for Waso Greenhouse in East Kildonan on Munroe Avenue, a treatment centre for troubled youth. He hired on with St. Andrews Landscaping where he obtained his fifth wheel licence and drove the truck and trailer the next day to Red Lake, Ontario. He was hired by Corrections Canada and began work in Rockwood Institution in the greenhouse, moving to the piggery, and finally to the dairy where he obtained his cheese maker licence. He was promoted to Programme Instructor and taught programmes to inmates and staff. He attended training in Ottawa and Saskatoon.

He learned to use the computer as all records were recorded to be accessed from any point in Canada.

Henry sponsored a foster son in Jamaica for his growing up years and was fortunate to make a trip there to see him.

He sold the house in Westwood the summer of 1994 and moved into a rental basement suite in a private home in East Kildonan till he was able to take possession of the house in Stonewall October 8, 1994. Here he completely landscaped the entire property planting many trees, shrubs, and perennials. He retired from Corrections January 2005. Soon he was asked by the manager of Marketplace in Stonewall to work in the produce department which he did for the next while; finally retiring altogether.

A highlight for Henry was the Main Family Reunion held on the original Main Farm now owned by Glen and Jean Main celebrating the Centennial of the farm being in the Main name.

The next few years went swiftly and enjoyably by. Henry attended many events, fairs rodeos, concerts; making two flights to Arizona and one to Florida. All too soon it became apparent that he was having trouble with memory, day to day activities, and recognition of people he knew very well. He received excellent care from Michelle Loehmer, Sharon Fotty-Smith, Dr. D. Venter, and the entire Home Care team. He stayed in his home in Stonewall as long as he possibly could. He entered Betel Home in Selkirk January 24, 2023 where he resided, receiving excellent care until his passing.

He is survived by his friend of 75 years Doug Moore & Doug’s Family, Betty, Murray (Glen), George (Jodi) Amy, Paul (Katrina) Sherissa and Alijah, his nieces Louise Lathe, Debbie Larson & Kim Tarrant, cousins Shirley Mulvey, and Glen and Jean Main in Manitoba & Nancy Mylenek and Dolores Mertz in Michigan, 2^nd and 3^rd cousins and by his step nephew and step niece Kenneth Hall and Peggy Herd(Hall) in Jerome, Idaho. He is remembered by friends Randy Henderson, Noreen Ponton, Igor Kaftan, Ian Livingstone, Bill Norlen, Bill Tretiak (Sharon), Vince Kaskiw and Vince’s Family, Don Kelly, and Carol and Ken Young and by a number of former colleagues.

He was predeceased by his parents Horace and Eleanor Main, Sisters Dorothy Nemeth, Margaret Tarrant, and Gladys Hall; Brothers-in-law John Nemeth, Charlie Tarrant, and Hilliary Hall. He is also predeceased by all his Aunts and Uncles, and by numerous 1^st Cousins and by friends Bob Good, Bill Christmas, Tom Addison, Jack McDougal and many more.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life for Henry will be held at Balmoral Victoria Cemetery (Road 84 N – 1 ½ miles south east of Balmoral) on Saturday, June 20 at 2:00 pm with interment in the family plot with his parents and his three sisters.

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