Obituary of Eugene N. May
It was Christmas day, December 25, 1931, when Alois and Barbara May welcomed their first-born son, Eugene (Gene) Noel May, into the world in Aurora, Illinois. And it was May 3, 2021 that he was finally peacefully released from his long battle with numerous cancers.
Fresh out of Marmion Military Academy, he joined the United States Navy where he passed the rigorous tests to do brief duty on the guppy type submarine Flying Fish. His sleeping quarters were over a torpedo, and the work was unique and difficult, but he always said they served terrific food under the sea! He served three Mediterranean Sea tours of duty with the Atlantic 8th fleet where he learned to “read light” proficiently and became a Quartermaster signalman 3rd class aboard the attack transport ship the Fremont throughout the Korean War.
When he returned to Aurora after the war, he became a journeyman electrician. He used his skills working on many large projects in the Aurora area while employed by his dad in his business, Lighthouse Electric, and soon became the Service Manager there where he repaired and installed every kind of appliance.
As the fabulous fifties ended, a new era of shopping malls began and with it his dad's store, along with many others in the Aurora downtown area, went from being a booming business only to succumb to the evolving changes. So, in early 1964, Gene began working for Youngren’s Heating and Air Conditioning where he later became Service Manager. He always had the urge to be an entrepreneur in his blood, however, so in 1984 he started his own business, Gene May, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning. He, along with his son, Todd, grew the business into a success. Gene never quit studying and learning and eventually taught HVAC classes at College of DuPage, and he is also a past president of RSES -Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. In 2007 Gene finally sold the business and retired.
In 1963, Gene married his best friend, Beverly Fritsch, and soon the couple became the proud parents of three children, Mark (Susan) May, Todd May, and Lori (Bruce) Nixon. And those three kids gave Gene and Bev nine grandchildren, Tiffany Yrigolla, Bobbi (Danny) Warren, Bradley (Brittany) May, Megan (Kyle) May, Sophie May, Josie May, Abigail (Mason) Naffziger, Keith Nixon, and Grace Nixon. And those nine gave them nine great-grandchildren: Makayla Collins, Thomas Yrigolla, Daniel, Mason, and Ford Warren, and Jaxen and Lylah Evans, Callahan Naffziger, and new Naffziger baby due in September.
The couple began married life in his native city of Aurora but built their dream home in Sugar Grove, and later moved to their current retirement home in Shorewood Glen. Over the years they were always involved in many organizations and in their present home they have enjoyed all aspects of very active senior living. All year long, Gene looked forward to an annual fishing trip with buddies Larry Beach, Earl Newton, and Claude Vlasz. He loved the game of Bocce and never turned down a chance to play cards, primarily Euchre, but any kind would do. He had a winning smile, enjoyed people immensely, and loved those kids, grands, and greats. He found weekly Zoom meetings with family to be one of the best things in life this past year as his health declined.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Al May and Barbara May Lewitzke, his brother Norm, brother-in-law Ken Eby, and sister-in-law Barbara May, Bev’s parents, Lloyd and Helen Fritsch, Bev’s sister and husband Joan and Don Needham, and sister-in-law Barbara Fritsch. He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Bev, all the children, grands, and greats mentioned above and sisters Geri Eby, Marian (Dr. Mike) Wanebo, brother Jim May, and brothers-in-law, Ken Fritsch and Ron (David) Fritsch, and a plethora of wonderful nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, June 26, 2021 with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by the service and lunch all at Messiah Lutheran Church located at the corner of Route 52 and Houbolt Road, Joliet, Illinois.
The family suggests that memorials in Gene’s name may be given to Lightways Hospice, previously known as Joliet Area Community Hospice, where they actually have angels working but they are disguised as nurses!
For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
