HARVEY
HENRY
July 5, 1950 - October 4, 2013
Harvey Henry passed away peacefully
on Friday, October 4, 2013 in his home at
the Roblin Residence in Roblin, Manitoba.
Harvey Henry, age 63 years, went to be
with his family on the other side.
Harvey Henry was born to Clara Rose Delia
Henry (nee Poitras) and Prosper Henry on
July 5, 1950 in Boggy Creek, Manitoba.
Harvey attended Grande Prairie School in
Boggy Creek then later attended Roblin
Collegiate in Roblin.
Harvey started his music career by age
fourteen playing for dances in and around
the San Clara area with Billy Dumont, Ron
Zelmer, Joe Andronik , Ephrem Paul,
Charlie Wilkinson, Armand Lucier, and Dave
Branconnier, to name a few.
Harvey’s passion was his music and his
home in the valley. In 1969, Harvey moved
to Winnipeg to further his music career.
There he performed with various bands
including The Shell River Ramblers,
Banshee, Masquerade, Midnight Ryder,
Harvey Henry Band, The Downs Show Band,
The North 40 Band, and Bear Claw, to name
a few.
Harvey, and his brothers Al and Len formed
the well known group The Henry Bros. They
played various bars in the Winnipeg area,
mainly the Downs Hotel. There would be
line ups at the door to see them play. Al
quit the group as they started touring
Canada and the USA. In 1977, the Henry
Bros. were voted “Top Country Band” in
Manitoba. They also backed up Artists like
Ferlin Husky, Dick Damron, and made
television appearances and also did
charitable functions with well known stars
such as, Allan Hamel, Bobby Cartolla,
Artie Johnson, Joanne Whirley and many
others.
Harvey received many awards over the years
for the best song of the year, best male
vocalist of the year, best entertainer of
the year and best band of the year at the
Manitoba Country Music Awards in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.
Tequila Creek was the last band that
Harvey played with, consisting of his
brother Al, his sister Connie, Scott Paul,
Ephrem Paul and Keith Grexton. They played
for various functions around the Roblin
area. The very last gig was at the
Community Centre in Roblin for the Roblin
Centennial celebrations in July, 2013. His
vocals and bass playing were just like old
times. His harmonies were right on key. He
will be greatly missed.
In 1976, Nichole, his daughter was born,
and in 1984 his son Joe was born. Harvey
also had five step children; Christina,
Michael, Scott, Jordon & Jerri-Lynn.
Harvey loved to take things apart to see
what made them tick. But he never could
put things back together. Gordon Paul went
to visit Harvey in the valley one summer
day. He asked grandpa where Harvey was. He
said “he’s over there by the old cars; I
think he’s building an airplane”. He was
trying to take the roof off his car to
make a convertible? He was known to crack
a good joke or two. Harvey also had a few
nick names, like Grawn Job, and
Ma-ra-koonce.
Harvey moved to Calgary in the late 80’s,
it was there he started counselling
troubled teens and provided supervised
visits with their parents. This took a
toll on the personal and mental aspects of
his life. His empathy for others started
to overwhelm his everyday life. Harvey
took time off his work and moved back
home, to rejuvenate himself. He struggled
to find a balance between work and home.
He started volunteering at the elementary
school with the breakfast program, which
he enjoyed. He joined the Hero Club and
compiled recipes for a cookbook to raise
money for the club. They went on camping
trips and day trips for shopping, etc.
Harvey was predeceased by his father
Prosper Henry in 1978, his mother Clara
Henry in 2011, his baby brother Robin,
older brothers Kenny and Alex, his sister
Jean, his nephews, Larry, Glen Perry,
Chad, and nieces Beverly and Shawna.
Harvey will be lovingly remembered by his
daughter Nichole and granddaughter of
Winnipeg and son Joey of Montreal, as well
as his step children Christina, Michael,
Scott, Jordon and Jerri-Lynn. He is
also survived by his brothers and sisters;
Florence Scott (Neil Martin) of Winnipeg,
Albert ‘Laddie’ Henry of San Clara,
Leonard Henry ( Bernice Owens) of Thorold,
Ontario, Alvin Henry ( Julie ) of Boggy
Creek, Terri (Harold) Dixon of Boggy
Creek, Connie Henry Paul (Gordon) of San
Clara, Irwin “John” Henry of Roblin,
Nieces and Nephews; Derek and Miles
Langan, Brad and Kim Scott, Melody, Karen,
Wanda, Samantha, Pamela, and Dean Henry,
Sheila Henry Wilkinson, Carey, Cory and
Cindy Finnson, Darcy Warcup, Dallas
Walker, Jonathon and Jason Henry along
with numerous great nieces and great
nephews.
Harvey was the seventh son, which was
believed to inherit healing powers. People
would come to him when they were ill. He
began to feel that this was not a gift. He
returned back to his native spiritual side
to heal his mind, body and soul. As of
this moment, his journey has just begun.
Harvey loved eagles, and it seems that one
certain eagle loved him. One summer,
Harvey worked at Blue Diamond Agra for
Dave Gerega. He was hauling manure to the
manure pile, back and forth to the pile,
when he noticed an eagle sitting on a
fence post watching him. This would happen
from time to time. When Harvey went back
to Calgary after harvest that year that
eagle would sit in a tree for hours.
Ephrem Paul named that eagle, Harvey. Once
in a while you can still see it there
perched in that tree. So if you happen to
drive by Blue Diamond Agra and see an
eagle souring in the sky, or just sitting
there watching you, give him a wave- it
just might be Harvey.
Prayer Vigil Service was held Saturday,
October 12, 2013, at 1:00 PM from the
Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home in
Roblin, with Rev. Fr. Paul Bisson
officiating. Ruth Angus read the Scripture
Lessons and Penny Wilkinson delivered the
Eulogy. The Henry Family sang the
following selections in honour of Harvey;
“Peace In The Valley”, “Why Me Lord”,
“I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You”, and “Go
Rest High On That Mountain”. Following the
Prayer Service, a time of fellowship and
sharing of memories was held at the
Chapel.
At 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2013,
family members of the original Henry Band
(Len, Al, Connie, and Laddie) as well as
other musicians who had played with the
band joined forces in honour of Harvey
Henry at the Roblin Motor Inn Bar.
Harvey’s son Joey was able to join in as
well. The Bar was filled to capacity with
folks who called to pay their respects to
Harvey and listen to the wonderful music.
Loved Him
Father we entrust our brother
to your mercy.
You loved him greatly in this
life: now that he is freed from
all its cares, give him
happiness
and peace for ever.
Welcome him now into paradise
where there will be no more
sorrow,
no more weeping or pain, but
only
peace and joy with Jesus your
Son,
and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.
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As
published on the NairnChyz-Wolkowski
site on October 9, 2013
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