James F. May, 73, of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on March 20, 1951, James was the beloved husband of the late Marcia L. May nee Rosko. Loving father of Megan May, Lauren (Frank) DeAngelis, and Kelly May (Kyle Mayer); cherished grandfather of Hayden DeAngelis.
James had a deep and abiding love for his daughters, and his years spent with them in the Indian Princesses program were among his most treasured memories. He reveled in the time spent together, building lasting bonds and creating special moments that they would carry with them for the rest of their lives.
An avid golfer, James enjoyed countless rounds of golf, particularly with his in-laws, where the love of the game and camaraderie were always at the forefront. James was also a passionate fan of Chicago sports, with a particular affection for the White Sox and the Bears. His love for the teams was matched only by his appreciation for watching his daughter, Lauren, coach cross country and his granddaughter Hayden, in soccer, and now gymnastics. When he wasn’t cheering for his teams, James could often be found enjoying oldies music, tapping his foot to the tunes of an era he loved.
Additionally, Kelly, a dedicated nurse, and Megan, who works in Higher Ed IT, have followed their father’s example of hard work and determination, making him proud of the women they’ve become. James took immense pride in all his daughters’ achievements and the way they had built careers filled with purpose and service to others.
A strong believer in civic duty, James was never shy about engaging in lively debates, especially when it came to politics. Regardless of his personal stance, he always felt that being an active participant in the democratic process was one of the most important roles he could fulfill as an American. His passion for his country, combined with his willingness to listen and engage, made for lively debates.
The funeral will be held on April 4th, 2025 at 9:30 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst, 60126.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/.
Arrangements in care of Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL. For info, (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.