EBERHARD MAY

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Eberhard (Hardy) Klaus Kurt May on August 12, 2026, at the age of 90. After a brief but hard-fought illness Hardy- Opa to his nearest and dearest, departed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.

Hardy was born on November 9, 1935, in Stettin, Germany to Gertrude and Kurt May. He was the oldest child followed by two sisters, Christel and Jutta. Hardy completed a business education program and began his career in Hamburg. It was there that he met his lifelong love and partner, Elke. In 1960, eager for an adventure and to improve his English, Hardy moved to Canada. Initially planning to stay just two years, he quickly fell in love with the country that would soon become home. The following Spring, Elke joined Hardy across the ocean and on April 10, 1961, they were married in Toronto.

In Toronto, Hardy found his typing and administrative skills to be in-demand and began building a career in logistics and sales. His work with Vanguard Steel brought the May family from Toronto to Edmonton, and eventually to Winnipeg. In 1975, Hardy spearheaded the expansion of Austrian agricultural manufacturer Knifeguard Ltd. in North America. He went on to lead this work for the next 25 years until his retirement in 2000.

Hardy was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping, canoeing, and sailing; he would share these passions and respect for nature with his three sons and, later, his grandchildren. He loved to play soccer and built many lifelong friendships through his weekly soccer league. Hardy travelled often for work and for pleasure. Hardy and Elke would see the world together travelling across Canada, the American Midwest, and to such alluring destinations as St. Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, and Sri Lanka among others.

In 1996, Hardy and Elke fulfilled a longtime dream and purchased the family cottage at Caddy Lake in the Whiteshell. After their retirement, they spent winters in their second home in Port Charlotte, Florida and summers at the cottage welcoming family and friends to enjoy their little slice of paradise at “Chalet Fleuri”. Hardy will be particularly remembered for his strong, decisive, and resilient character, as well as his adventurous spirit and zest for life.

Hardy leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Elke May, his children Bernhard (Patricia), Adrian (Lisa), Sebastian (Ségolène), as well as his eight grandchildren: Oscar, Felix, Olivia, Genevieve (Bradley), Gabrielle (Lyndon), Nichole (Cody), Victoria and Alexander, two great-grandsons Sylvan and Fox, and many family members and friends in Canada and Germany.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​