WILLIAMSBURG, VA/NORWALK, CT John P. May of Williamsburg, VA, a former long-time resident of Norwalk, passed away peacefully at Williamsburg Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. He was 89 years of age. John was born in St. Louis, MO on March 26, 1920, son of the late Ernest Lee May and Hazel (Tranbarger). He grew up in Marion, Illinois and attended the local schools. A graduate of Southern Illinois University, John received a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. John served his country honorably as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during WW II. Early in his career he was a sportswriter with local newspapers, which lead to a career at Golf Digest. He and his family relocated to Norwalk in 1962 when the magazine moved to its new location. He was an avid golfer, scoring at least three holes-in-one. John was also a great tennis player, and enjoyed many years playing both sports as a member of the Shorehaven Golf Club. Retirement in 1983 lead him to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he resided at Kingsmill. At the age of 87, he moved to the independent living facilities at Chambrel, also located in Williamsburg. John spent many years serving others through volunteering. Among these were STAR, the YMCA, the Williamsburg Hospital and library. His hobbies included a love of still photography, filming home movies, and the "occasional" Southern Comfort Manhattan on the rocks with a twist (No Cherry!). John's beloved first wife, Signe M. May, and mother of his four children, were married for thirty-six years. She preceded him in death in 1982. His second wife, Kathleen Mitchell ay, passed away in 1989. John is survived by his children April M. Coyne and her husband, James, of Trumbull, Rebecca M. Bieler of Norwalk, Paul Barton May of Norwalk, and Marsha M. Elkind and her husband, Jon, of Fairfield. Grampy May will be missed by his nine grandchildren Ashley McCarron, Lindsay and Ryan Coyne, Dana Bilello, Adrian and Bridget Bieler, Brandon May, Colin and Sean Elkind and great granddaughter, Anna Bilello, as well as an extended family and many, many friends. John's family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street, from 3:00PM - 7:00PM. A Memorial Service will immediately follow in the parlor at the conclusion of calling hours, 7:00PM. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice program at Sentara Home Care Services, 1100 Professional Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185, on-line at www.sentara.com/homecare or Southern Illinois University, SIU Foundation, 1235 Douglas Drive, Colyer Hall, Mailcode 6805, Carbondale, IL 62901. JOHN'S DVD TRIBUTE CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING "VIEW A VIDEO" BELOW HIS PHOTO.
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