Joseph C. May, 85, of Worcester, passed from this world on Tuesday, April 10th surrounded by the members of his large family. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Helen (Lynch) May; four daughters, Kathryn C. May of Worcester, Elizabeth E. Harvey and her husband, John F. of Holden, Marianne O’Day of Worcester, Eileen J. Henrickson and her husband, Thomas F. of Worcester; three sons, Joseph C. May, Jr. of Worcester, James P. May and wife, Deborah Ekstrom of Worcester and John M. May of Shelburne, VT; a sister, Mary Lisk of Danbury, CT; a brother, John W. McDavitt of Brookfield, 17 grandchildren, John R. Harvey and his wife, Deanna of Quincy, Matthew C. Harvey of Boston, Timothy P. Harvey of Worcester, Christopher J. Harvey and Cara E. Harvey both of Holden, Patrick, Julianne and Grace O’Day, Kathryn P. and Bridget May of Worcester, Joseph D., Emily, and Elizabeth May of Worcester and Max May of Shelburne, VT, T.J., Daniel and Jillian Henrickson of Worcester; 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Julian R., George B., John H. and LeeRoy A. May and Bro. James P. McDavitt, SJ.
Joseph was born in Webster, the son of LeeRoy and Lillian (Beauregard) May McDavitt on July 8, 1926. When he married Helen in 1950, he gave her a wedding ring set with seven diamonds, vowing his enduring love and foretelling his lifelong commitment to raising their seven children. Joe attended from the former Classical High School and he apprenticed as an electrician with Coghlin Electric before starting his own business as a television repairman in 1960. A child of the Depression, his grit endured throughout his life, but he was a fair and generous man nonetheless.
Mr. May was well known throughout central Massachusetts for his fine craftsmanship in his trade. His beloved grandchildren knew his as “Bus” because he drove a Volkswagen bus as he made house calls in his work as a television repairman. In his work, he was a stickler for accuracy and a true self-made man. His family and friends know that his erudition far exceeded his knowledge of his craft. He was a faithful friend, a stalwart brother, a dear uncle, a grateful father-in-law and a sound adviser to all who sought his counsel. He was proud of his Scottish and Irish-American heritage and loved to have his family near him. A student and teacher of Worcester history and architecture, he was a member of the Worcester Historical Society throughout his adult life. A bibliophile, Joe was a word-lover and a voracious reader. He was a faithful patron of local libraries, from which he borrowed books on a weekly basis. He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church and of the Democratic Committee and a Civil Rights Activist. He was a former member of the Holy Name Society. He found pleasure in building and maintaining his home, growing crops in his garden and chasing the squirrels from his bird feeder. Most of all he loved his wife, his seven children, his 17 grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren. Joe was a strong and capable man and a person of profound integrity.
A special thanks to Coghlin Electric for their kindness and friendship through the years and to the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence and his daughter, Marianne O’Day for their care.
His funeral is Friday, April 13th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will be private. Calling hours are Thursday, April 12th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Building Fund, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603.