Jeffrey Main

How does one capture the life of a man who left such a large and indelible presence on this planet in a couple of short paragraphs but one must try.

Jeffrey Robert Main, age 68, entered this world on November 17, 1954 to Gerald and Mary (Maher) Main in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of 5. Jeff attended Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington Hills beginning in first grade and throughout high school which is where he met the love of his life, Mary Carol. They were high school sweethearts, parted ways following high school, then reunited to ultimately become partners for a lifetime. In high school, Jeff had a passion for sports including football, baseball and most of all wrestling for which he was named All State.

Jeff 's "college" education began at the tender age of 19 when he bravely set off with only his backpack and his dog, Shiva, to hitchhike across the entire United States and Canada. He always said it was the experience of a lifetime. Jeff and Mary Carol married in 1977 and made a home in Northern Michigan. Their daughter, Kelly, was born 1 1/2 years later. She was his pride and joy. In 1981, Jeff and Mary moved to Missouri City, Texas, where Jeff started and ran a collision repair shop at a large car care center. Texas was where his son, Timothy, was born at which time Jeff exclaimed, "I got my boy!" Ready to venture out on his own as a business owner, Jeff, Mary, Kelly and Timmy moved back to Northern Michigan, where Jeff started Main's Collision Plus in Kalkaska which he owned for the next 11 years. If you have ever driven through Kalkaska and have seen the trout at the south end of town, you will know this is Jeff's work.

While in Kalkaska, Jeff coached Little League Baseball for his son's team, Orange Crush, and turned them into champions two years running. Jeff also coached wrestling for Kalkaska High School as he had had a passion for wrestling since his high school days when his team took the State Championship and he was named All-State. He loved coaching and mentoring kids. His style was to get right in there with them rather than stand at the sidelines and coach.

Jeff and family moved to Traverse City after selling his collision shop because his desire was to use his artistic talent doing custom work on vehicles, boats, motorcycles, pinstriping and lettering by hand and creating beautiful signs. He later went on to purchase another collision repair shop in Honor while continuing the same custom work.

Jeff was a man of so many talents. There was nothing he couldn't fix, no puzzle he couldn't solve and nothing he was afraid to try. He enjoyed motorcycles after his kids grew up. In 2013, he was able to take a trip out west on his Harley Davidson with his two very best friends, Jim Knowles and Rick Jones. It was another trip of a lifetime with many memories made.

Jeff was a story teller. He became legendary in this area for all his many stories. He never met a stranger and he could carry on a conversation with any person with whom he ever came in contact.

Jeff had a heart as big as the ocean and never said "no" to anyone in need of help. He was notorious for setting his own projects aside in order to do anything for anyone who asked for his help.

Despite four major joint replacement surgeries and multiple spinal fusions, Jeff would never let it keep him down. No matter how much pain he was in, he kept going every single day. He refused to let anything stand in his way. After a very short illness, he suddenly and unexpectedly went home to the arms of Jesus, sitting in his favorite recliner watching a YouTube video on his phone. He simply tilted his head and went to sleep.

He leaves behind a heartbroken wife, Mary, beloved children, Kelly Marie Royston and Timothy Main, the apple of his eye, his only grandchild, Julia Noelle Demusky, and two of his biggest sources of joy, his dogs, Angus and Zena. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three of his siblings, Miles Main, Sharon Main Smith, and Jerry Main, Jr. He has one remaining brother, Gregory Main and several nieces and nephews, with a very special mention of his "niece-in-law", Mari Dew, of whom he was particularly fond.

Think of and remember Jeff every time you see a motorcycle or observe a deer run across the road because his spirit will be there.

His family and friends will celebrate his life with a gathering starting at 10 am on Thursday, August 17, with the Funeral Mass at 11am at St. Francis Church in Traverse City. A gathering will follow at Fallen Timbers Restaurant on US 31 in Beulah. Final arrangements were handled by Life Story Funeral Home in Traverse City with a special thank you for the kindness shown by Vaughn Seavolt, Owner/Funeral Director.

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