Howard May

Howard B. May, age 94, longtime York businessman, died Monday, September 22, 2008 at York. Howard was born December 23, 1913 at York, NE to Grover C. and Clara E. (Foster) May. Howard joined the Coast Guard and was stationed in Hobokin, N. J. and on October 13, 1942 he married the then Clerk of the York County Court, Dorothy J. Peterson at Mt. Vernon, NY. After his marriage he was stationed at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT and later transferred to the South Pacific where he was a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class aboard LST 770. When Howard was discharged in late 1945, the couple worked together at the York Floral shop and greenhouses purchased by his parents in 1917. Together they operated May’s York Floral until 1974; they then owned and operated May’s Hallmark until retiring in 1982. They were honored by Hallmark for being one of the oldest Hallmark dealers in the region and were a 50+ year member of the Florist Telegraph Delivery Association. He was also a longtime member of the Nebraska State Florist Society, where Howard was a past president. Howard was also a longtime member of the Noon Sertoma Club, American Legion and the York Elks. He enjoyed horticulture, traveling and reading. Howard was a member of the Presbyterian Church in York all of his life where he had been a Church School teacher and an Elder.

Howard is survived by his nieces and nephews, Robert May and Greg May both of Denver, Marsha Rollins of Santa Cruz, CA, Joan Pereira of Franktown, CO and John Augustine of Olathe, CO and many other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Dorothy, brother Robert and sister Helen (Dean) Augustine.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 26th at 10:30 am at the First Presbyterian Church in York with the Rev. Mike Eickhoff officiating. Burial followed at the Greenwood Cemetery at York with military graveside services. Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church.