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Harry Frank Crouse
April 30, 1934 – November 7, 2025

Harry Frank Crouse passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre surrounded by his family.

Harry was a loving husband to his wife of 65 years Beth (Crowe) and father to his daughter Susan (John) Crompton; his sons Mark, Peter (Heather), and Matthew (Laura); and his daughter-in-law Heather. He was a grandfather to Brian (Laura), Ben (Kyla), Sarah (Mark), Jenny, Emily (Alexi), Hannah, Sam, Isabel, William, Fay, and a great-grandfather to Ella, Olivia, Finn, Owen, and Henry. Harry is survived by his brothers Charles (Lorna) and Ronald (Sheila). Harry was predeceased by his son Alex, and brothers Clarence, Russell, and Wilfred.

Harry was born in MacKay Siding, N.S., the son of Frank and Vida Crouse. He graduated from South Colchester High School in 1954, and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College Class of 1956. He worked briefly at the Kentville Research Station where he met his future wife over strawberry shortcake. He worked for ACA Co-op and moved to Port Williams with his wife, where they lived and raised their family for the next forty years.

Harry became an integral member of the Port Williams community. His love of agriculture was expressed as a long-time leader and mentor with the Cornwallis Project 4-H Club. In his many years of involvement with Venturers (Scouts Canada), he traveled to multiple national and provincial jamborees. He was a member with the Port Williams United Baptist Church and served as a trustee, deacon and youth leader. He was a volunteer with the fire department, and the village commission. He was a founding board member of the Valley Credit Union. In 1980, Harry launched Woolcrest Farm, a farm and horticultural service, in which he raised sheep, managed orchards, grew and marketed garden produce, and undertook various landscaping projects. During this time he became a member and later the President of the Northumberland Lamb Marketing Coop.

Harry gave selflessly to others. He was recognized by the Red Cross Society for his heroic rescue of an individual from drowning and another from hypothermia. He earned his Wood Badges and Gilmore Scarf for leadership in scouting and he was selected to attend a national 4H leadership conference for his years of service.

In 1999, he and Beth retired to Folly Lake. They were active in the Wentworth United Baptist Church. Harry became a member of Wentworth Garden Club and enjoyed gardening at their lakeside property. Harry continued to enjoy nature through camping, canoeing, hunting, and fishing, and took up downhill skiing in the winter months. He continued to camp annually with his family and even celebrated his 90th year at Kejimkujik National Park. Together Harry and Beth enjoyed hosting friends and family with a cup of tea, coffee, and a sweet treat. They frequently traveled to visit with friends and relatives. Harry loved to spoil his grandchildren with a bowl full of homemade applesauce made from his own trees at Folly Lake.

Harry will always be remembered as a generous and loving husband, father, and grandfather, who lived his life with warmth, humour, and kindness. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Thursday, November 13 in MacDiarmid's Funeral Home, 14067 Hwy. 4, Wentworth. Funeral service will be held at 2 pm Friday, November 14 in Wentworth United Baptist Church, 13755 Hwy. 4, Wentworth, with a reception to follow in the Wentworth Recreation Centre.

A reception will also be held on Saturday, November 15 at 1:30 pm in the Port Williams Baptist Church, 1031 Hwy. 358, Port Williams, NS.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Class of 56 Scholarship Dalhousie Agricultural Campus , Wentworth United Baptist Church, or a charity of your choice.