Kenneth Damien May

CAMBRIDGE Kenneth Damien May, 63, of Cambridge and Waltham, died Aug. 15, 2008, at home of complications from a lengthy illness with multiple sclerosis. Ken attended Waltham public schools and graduated from Waltham High School, Class of 1963. He was prominent in sports, school and non-school baseball, football and hockey. He was also known for his pool, snooker and poker-playing ability. Following high school, Ken graduated with a B.A. degree from Colby College in 1967. He taught English in Kyoto, Japan, for several years and also in Vietnam, which he toured on motorcycle. Ken was Director of Community Development and head of Elderly Housing in Marlborough. In 1986 to 1987, Ken visited China several times and later lectured at Peking University. He also had business interests in China. He graduated from the New England College of Law in 1989, and began practicing law in Cambridge. He was active in many Cambridge civic and social organizations, including the Southside Neighbors CDC, Cambridge Community Economic Development Corporation, and the Just-A-Start Corporation. He was active in Cambridge politics and once ran for city council. He was an active member of the Boston Art Club, an avid collector of 19th century art, and had many other interests. He was the beloved son of the late Lawrence and Ruth (Cogswell) May. He is survived by his devoted sister, Janet D. (May) Blair of Cambridge, Sheila (May) Robinson of Marlborough, Barbara C May of Everett, Wash., Laurence T. May of Cambridge, and his former wife, Kathryn N. May of Hudson, N.H. He was brother-in-law to the late Cambridge police patrolman, George P. Blair. Ken will be much missed, as he was loved and admired by many friends and colleagues. Funeral services are private and under the arrangement of Mann & Rodgers Funeral Home, Jamaica Plain (617-522-2500.) Donations may be made in Ken's memory to MSPCA, 350 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.