Richard Sherwood May

Born on May 17, 1937, Richard, the youngest of 14 siblings, attended Danforth Technical High School where he quickly distinguished himself as a talented athlete in track and field, football and basketball. His passion for sports continued beyond high school, when he joined the East York Track Club. His athletic abilities ultimately took him to the British Empire Games and the Olympic Trials in 1956, an accomplishment he was proud of throughout his life.

Following his athletic pursuits, Richard began what would become a long and successful career in the HVAC industry. He started as a draftsman with Libby Engineering before moving on to Beaver Engineering, where his hard work and natural business sense led him to become National Sales Manager.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Richard took a major step in 1972 when he founded his own company, Pro Air Systems. Under his leadership, the business experienced tremendous growth, expanding from just 12 employees to approximately 120 in less than two years, with offices across Canada.

In 1978, Richard decided to take a different direction, establishing Mayfair Mechanical with a smaller, more focused team dedicated to serving the Ontario market. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the industry laid the foundation for a business that continues to this day as Mayfair Systems, which is now run by his son, Scott.

Outside of business, Richard had a lifelong love of tennis and golf, both of which provided years of enjoyment, competition, and camaraderie. Upon retirement Richard developed a passion for art and became an accomplished painter of oil and watercolour landscapes. But perhaps one of his greatest passions was food. Richard was a true foodie long before the term became popular. He had a genuine appreciation for good meals and loved describing the day's menu, often recounting what he had enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food was always a topic of conversation, and he took great pleasure in sharing that enthusiasm with others.

Richard and June shared 62 beautiful years of marriage, building a lifetime filled with love, happiness and treasured memories. They shared a passion for travel, which took them to many unique destinations around the world. Weekends at the farm and family ski trips created memories that will last a lifetime. In retirement, they especially loved spending their winters at their home in Arizona.

While Richard accomplished a great deal throughout his life, his greatest legacy will always be his family. He was a loving husband, father, poppa and dog lover.

Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, June May (nee MacInnis); his son, Scott May, and daughter-in-law, Lisa May; his daughter, Jennifer May, and son-in-law, Steven Brown; his grandchildren, Christie Long (Robin Bradley), Katelyn Long, Ethan May, and Charlotte May; and his great-grandchildren, Jayden Long and Madison Bradley.

Richard was the consummate gentleman and a great storyteller. He had a personality that was impossible to ignore. Confident, loving, and larger than life, he was often the life of the party. He had a natural presence about him and a way of making an impression wherever he went. Whether surrounded by family, friends, or business associates, Richard brought energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of fun to every gathering. He enjoyed being around people, sharing stories, having a laugh, and making the most of every occasion. His confidence, big personality, and love for life were unmistakable, and those who knew him will certainly remember the special presence he brought into their lives.

Visitation will be held at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON, L4G6W8, CA, on November 14, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

A Memorial Service will follow at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON, L4G6W8, CA, on November 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada: https://www.parkinson.ca/