Obituary of James Norris Brian May
MAY, (James Norris) Brian
Jun 18, 1929 – January 19th, 2022
Dad passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Wed Jan. 19th in his 93rd year. Survived by his loving wife Lillian just shy of their 74th anniversary. Predeceased by daughter Mary (1949) and son James Patrick (1968) and leaving behind sons/daughters Brian William/Bill (Dorothy) May, Catherine (late John) Brown, Ellen (Colin) White, Lynn Cooke (John Delaney), Janet/Renie (Al) Heywood. Tom (Margaret) May, and Fred (Lori) May. Cherished Grandpa of Diana Brown, Jonathan Brown, Patricia White, Greg (Robyn) White, Brianne Mens, JJ (Allison) Mens, Taylor (Carley) Cooke, David (Sarah) Heywood, Jamie (Annette) Heywood, Christie (James) Richardson, Robert (Alana) Heywood, Spencer (Anastasia) May, Katie (Drew) VanEgmond, and 26 great grandchildren. Dad was one of five children born to James Norris and Edith May. He is survived by his sisters Sheila and Patricia, sister-in-law Beverly and predeceased by Colleen (Gerry) Walker and Gary May. Dad will also be missed by countless nieces, nephews, and friends.
A hard-working man, Dad was a talented mechanic serving at GM dealerships and rising to Service Manager before moving to the General Motors plant in St. Catharines where he retired in 1994. Fiercely independent and self-reliant, there was little that Dad wouldn’t tackle, from building our first home to shoeing horses. Despite a tough exterior, Dad had a big heart and family and friends counted on him when they had a problem.
Dad had a passion for animals, especially horses, and in his younger years enjoyed building and racing stock cars and time spent at the Maple Leaf Gun Club. He had a lifelong love of the north spending time camping and hunting. In retirement Dad and Mom traveled extensively by RV throughout Canada and the U.S.
As per Dad’s wishes, his immediate family will celebrate his life in private on Tuesday, Jan 25th at 2pm. Friends and family are welcome to attend virtually via a live stream link which can be found on the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME’s website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
