1902 – 1953 (August 9)
Edward Bernard May, the son of Edward May and Ann Healy, was born at Olean, New York on July 7, 1902. He entered Saint Rita’s Hall at Villanova, Pennsylvania, and was received into the novitiate there on June 25, 1924. He made his simple profession on June 26, 1925, and solemn profession on June 26, 1928. He received his A.B. degree from Villanova College in 1928 and, following theological studies, was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., by Bishop Thomas Shahan, on June 9, 1931.
Father May served in our parishes of San Agustin in Havana, Cuba; Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica; Saint James, Carthage; and Saint Mary’s, Waterford in New York; Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, Pennsylvania; and at Saint Augustine, Lawrence, Massachusetts. He also taught at Villanova College and at Saint Rita’s in Chicago, Illinois. From 1950 until the time of his death, he was a member of the Province Mission Band.
Father May was 51 when he died suddenly at the Villanova Monastery on Sunday, August 9, 1953. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Villanova on Thursday, August 13th, by Father Charles Kropp, O.S.A. Father Stephen Lanen, O.S.A., rector of the Mission Band preached. Father May is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
