May 22, 1934 – October 18, 2025
With profound sadness, our family announces the passing of our dear Armand, peacefully with family by his side, at the age of 91. Armand leaves to mourn his loving wife of 39 years, Anita Vallee-Mainella; his four children, Paul (Lissette), Marc (Sarah), Carole (Joel), Chris (Christine) Mainella; his eight grandchildren, Daniel, Colin, Patrick, Nicole, Stéphanie, Martial, Milanne and Andrew; and his four great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Vallée and Gisèle (Morin); his sister Huguette Allen; first wife Hélène Vallée (Chaput); in-laws George and Amélie Chaput; sister-in-law Patricia Marcoux (Chaput); brother-in-law Jean Chaput; brother-in-law Victor Chaput.
Armand was born in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan in 1934 during the ‘dirty thirties’. Life on the farm was very difficult for his parents, so they moved the family to Winnipeg in 1940. Armand grew up in St. Boniface and attended école Provencher, Collège secondaire St. Boniface and Université de St. Boniface where he earned an Arts degree. He studied Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba before embarking on a long career in pharmaceutical and medical sales and marketing.
Armand married his first wife Hélène in 1963, and they moved to Montreal to pursue a job opportunity. They had three children, Paul, Marc and Carole, and eventually moved back home to Winnipeg in 1972. Sadly, Hélène passed away in 1979. With the loving support of family and friends, Armand set about raising three children as a single parent, through three sets of terrible teens. He put his heart and soul into raising his kids and he did a wonderful job.
Armand was introduced to Anita and her son Chris through mutual friends, and they instantly bonded. Armand and Anita were married in November of 1986, during the blizzard of the century, which was likely the first big test of their relationship. They were married for 39 years, and their lives were filled with the love of family and the good company of many, many friends. Armand loved being surrounded by his grandchildren, and he was always quick to tease and share a laugh. Armand and Anita truly enjoyed their life together, spending time with family and friends, travelling to Europe, cruising the Caribbean, vacationing in Mexico and spending many winters in Texas.
Armand was kind, funny and fiercely independent. He loved the outdoors and would often take his kids on fishing and camping trips deep into the Whiteshell and Nopiming parks. He was also an avid hunter who spent many weekends out at ‘The Shack’ at Delta Marsh, with his father-in-law George and his hunting buddies. Armand loved carpentry and woodworking. He was as comfortable putting up drywall and finishing a basement as he was making miniature wooden model cars and toys for his grandchildren.
Armand had a booming bass voice, and he loved to sing. For many years, he sang in the choir at Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens parish and in La Chorale des Intrépides. If we close our eyes and listen carefully, we can still hear his voice filling the bass line of his favourite song to sing with the boys, Kyrie des Moines.
Armand had a wonderful, lifelong friendship with his classmates and their partners. They were known as ‘The gang’ and he and Anita cherished the good times they all had together. They were a wonderful example to all of us of the power of love and friendship that withstands the test of time.
Armand developed Dementia in 2018, and it got progressively worse with the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Armand entered a personal care home and the family rallied around him to make sure he received good care and had plenty of company.
We thank all the compassionate caregivers that accompanied Armand through his journey, in particular, the nurses and healthcare aides in the Unité Marguerite at Actionmarguerite St. Vital.
A funeral mass for Armand was held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the parish of St. Timothy, 135 John Forsyth Road.