Aaron May was born in Wilmington, N.C., on November 19, 1917, the son of Benjamin and Esther May. After graduation from New Hanover High School, he attended the University of North Carolina for two years.
In 1943, Mr. May was inducted into the Army at Fort Bragg, NC. Before shipping out for the European theatre, on February 8, 1944, he married Norma Elaine Eisen, whom he had met when he was stationed at Camp Chafee in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mr. May served in Europe as a warrant officer with the 14th Armored Division and was with this division when it liberated the concentration camp at Dachau. On August 12, 1995, the Wilmington Morning Star ran a feature, “Letters from the Front,” about the letters that Mr. May wrote to his new wife while serving in Europe. Beginning in the 1990s and until a few years ago, Mr. May often spoke to school groups and participated in archival projects about his World War II experiences, and especially about what he saw first-hand at the liberation of Dachau. A transcript and video of the oral history he gave on the liberation of the Dachau is found in the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s oral history archives, at http://library.uncw.edu/capefearww2/voices/087bio.html.
After the war, Mr. May returned to Wilmington where he joined his father in business at May’s Five & Ten on Castle Street. He operated the store on Castle Street until he retired in 1978. For many years, Mr. May was a long-time recognized leader in New Hanover County’s Distributive Education program under which students were able to work in part-time jobs while gaining valuable business experience.
In retirement, Mr. May enjoyed volunteering in various civic activities, painting, and traveling, and especially writing poetry. Many of his poems have been featured in local magazines and in newsletters.
In 2006, Mr. May moved to a senior living home in Philadelphia, PA, with his wife, Norma, who passed away in April 2008. They were married 64 years. He is survived by his three sons, Randolph J. May and his wife Laurie May, of Potomac, MD, Leonard Z. May of Wayland, MA, and Darryl J. May and his wife Susan May, of Wynnwood, PA; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2011 at B’nai Israel Synogogue with Rabbi Roabert Waxman officiating. Interment will follow at B’nai Israel Hebrew Cemetery with Military Honors.
Mr. May was a life-long member of B’nai Israel Synagogue in Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to B'nai Israel Synagogue, 2601 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28405.
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