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Temple Terrace Fixture Honored

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By JUDY WADE

TBO.com

Published: January 28, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Friends and family gathered recently to celebrate nine decades of John May's life.

The Temple Terrace resident was surrounded by about 150 well-wishers at a 90th birthday party held in his honor Jan. 18 at Temple Terrace United Methodist Church, where May is a longtime member.

"I found out about it the party the night before," May said. "So many relatives were coming in throughout the week prior. I had a lot of surprises.

"The party was perfect. I was so touched by everything."

Born in Clinton, Ill., Jan. 15, 1919, May attended Brown's Business School in Decatur, Ill., and later worked for Illinois Central Telephone Co. May is also a World War II Air Force veteran. After the war, he returned to the phone company and worked in the industry for 41 years before retiring in 1978 from General Telephone in Temple Terrace.

May and his wife, Beth, were stellar members of the Temple Terrace community and volunteered many hours to organizations such as Metropolitan Ministries and Meals on Wheels. He and Beth were named Citizens of the Year in 1986. The couple were married for 62 years. Beth died in 2004.

"To me, John is one of the most thoughtful, respectful, considerate and loyal people I know," said Morris Hintzman, president of Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. "He and his wife dedicated many hours to this organization over the years. He is one of a kind."

May's three sons and their wives also attended the party. They are: Ron and his wife, Nancy, of Suwanee, Ga.; Denny and his wife, Betsy, from Maryland; and John and his wife, Cheryle, of North Carolina. May's 88-year-old sister, Muriel Otto, traveled from Farmer City, Ill., to attend. Others included extended family members from as far away as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Vermont.

"Dad is just a much-loved person," Ron May said. "He was always very active in the Temple Terrace community, and he still tries to be as much as possible. We're proud of him and all he has done."

May doesn't do volunteer work these days because of his health, but said he has fond memories of the hours he gave.

"It was something that I did freely and passionately," May said. "I enjoyed every minute."
Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti also attended May's party.

"John has given so much back to this community, and it was an honor to be a part of the celebration," Affronti said. "He is someone who is a wonderful example for all to follow."

Judy Wade can be reached at (813) 523-9522.

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