Henry “Harry” Woodhull Forrest
On Dec 28, 2013 Harry Forrest passed away at the Souris Personal Care Home at the age of 97 years. Born in Souris on April 16th, 1916 Harry lived his entire life in Souris except for his service with Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II. The youngest child of a family of six, Harry had five older sisters: Kate, Mary, Grace, Margaret and Helen all of whom have predeceased him, as have his parents, Samuel Henry “SH” Forrest and Grace Helena Woodhull.
After finishing high school in Souris, Harry studied law, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1938 and immediately joined his father in what became the Forrest & Forrest law office at Souris which his father had begun in 1907. His son, Brian, joined the firm in 1973 and continued the practise until the firm was sold in 2011. This brought to close 103 years of the Forrest law practise.
During the early years before the war Harry took the train to Melita (and later to Reston) where he had satellite offices and it was while in Melita that he was introduced to a young school teacher, Agnes Sellers, by Melita’s mayor, Bill Pound.
He enlisted in 1941 in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following his training, he was sent overseas in 1942 in the hold of a New Zealand butter boat. There he was stationed on the English coast operating costal radar stations and later worked with mobile radar units which moved from Holland to France and finally Germany. On the day Paris was liberated Harry happened to be in that city and fate would have it that he ran into another Souris soldier.
In October of 1945 Harry returned to Canada and asked that school teacher, Agnes, to meet him at the train station in Winnipeg and that led to their marriage in July of 1946. They quickly settled into domestic life in Souris, raising four children: Helen, Brian, Jean (Stan) and Karen. Later four grandchildren arrived: Chris, Jim, John and Fiona. His wife Agnes predeceased him in 2002.
Harry joined the Masonic Lodge, Souris Curling Club and Golf Club and was a founding member of the Mouse Investment Club. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church. He served as town solicitor for many years and was a School Trustee during the consolidation of the country schools and the building of the Souris School in 1963. In 2013 he received his 60-year membership pin from the Souris Legion.
Highlights of each year for Harry were attending the Manitoba Curling Association Bonspiel in Winnipeg, the annual Souris bonspiel and later the Labor Day golf tournament in Minot. In later years annual winter vacations in Florida and later Palm Springs were much enjoyed with Souris friends.
I remember Harry Forrest as a judge of the Provincial Court during my early years of practicing law. He was, and is, highly regarded as a fair and courteous judicial officer who showed understanding and compassion to those who appeared before him. He made a real contribution to the administration of justice in Western Manitoba and will be missed.
Our sympathy goes out to the Forrest family. Mr. Forrest was a person of great integrity. He left a legacy of good deeds in his beloved town, and he will be remembered with fondness and respect.
My thoughts are with you at this time, may you remember the good times and memories you have. He was highly respected.
Helen. Sorry about the loss of your father. I did meet him about 10 years ago at a U of M reunion of Graduates. You have also been so articulate about his vertious as a person and father ,that I feel as if I actually knew him. I hope you take solus in his good life.
Sincere sympathy to your families. Harry was a wonderful man who could always be counted on, especially for his legal opinions. He will definitely be missed. Sincerely, Anne Mooney (Wawanesa)
Dear Brian and girls;
I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Please accept my sincerely sympathy and prayers for strength and the knowledge that he was a mainstay in keeping Souris a vibrant community.
Sincerely,
Daryl
Sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Jackie and Jim George
My deepest sympathy to my cousins, Helen, Brian, Jean and Karen. Your father was a remarkable man of strong character, integrity and dedicated service to his community. I have always admired his quiet strength and tremendous intelligence. As the last senior member of our family, his passing is the end of an era. Know that my love and thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
I will miss my Uncle Harry.
Jan
Brian ,Helen, Jean, Karen
We were truly sorry to hear about Harry’s passing. We are glad we had the chance to visit with him this past summer. We hope you are all doing well and please know that our thoughts are with you during this time of
sadness and remembrance.
Bob & Linda Johnston
Lethbridge Alberta
My condolences to you and your family, Jean. It was a pleasure to meet your Dad several times when he was visiting you in Calgary.
Helen, My Deepest Sympathy to You and family Members on the loss of your Dad.
Thank You for sharing the Obituary.
Dear Helen and family
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved father. He had a very full and meaningful life.
Gaye (your Australian friend)