DENNY REID MAY 1935 - 2021 Storyteller, aviation historian, lifelong Scout, anglophile, and master of the closed smile, Denny died suddenly and peacefully at home. Predeceased by mother Violet and father Wilfrid 'Wop' May, famous Alberta bush pilot. Much loved and forever remembered by his devoted wife Margaret; son David May (Kimberly); stepdaughters Tracy Rowan (Steve) and Joanna Rowan; grandson Rory Connors; nieces; cousins; and special extended family Jon Hall (Kathy), Jan Millson, and Rick Johnson. At age 22, Denny backpacked across Europe, his first of many such trips abroad. His life of adventure continued with Marg, travelling across Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, and beautiful Saltspring Island. He loved the North with its warm people and awe-inspiring landscapes. As Executive Director for Scouts Canada for Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Denny supported youth to grow through friendship, and being in the great outdoors. The many national and international Scout Jamborees Denny and David attended created lifetime memories. Member of the Edmonton Flying Club, he delighted in taking everyone up in small planes over Edmonton. Denny and David regularly visited air shows and museums. Creative to the core, he excelled at photography, painting and stained glass. An avid collector of coins, stamps, Scout and aircraft memorabilia, he mastered Ebay. Denny and Marg fell in love over old-fashioned letter writing. They were true partners in Scouting, aviation, and life, and always held hands. He loved Tracy and Joanna just as they were his own and they felt the same way. Denny was always there with words of wisdom or a silent squeeze of their hands. He was very proud of all his children's accomplishments. When grandson Rory arrived, it was like the sun shone all around him. They were incredibly close. Denny was quietly generous with time and money by volunteering at many events and charities. Upon retiring, Denny co-wrote Wop May books; and gave presentations at Alberta schools on Wop's incredible career. Often you'd find Denny being interviewed about aviation history for documentaries. What a life of adventure and service to others that Denny led. In these days of COVID, a small memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alberta Aviation Museum. www.albertaaviationmuseum.com To send condolences, please visit www.fostermcgarvey.com Foster & McGarvey Funeral Home Downtown Chapel (780) 428-6666

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Denny MAY

4 Entries

Cherry Hinton

May 8, 2024

Only today I discovered that Denny died in 2021.He was at Gilwell Park UK the same time as me doing our Woodbadge - he came to stay with my family in Swansea Wales, after Gilwell, - we reconnected several years ago and communicated via email.I hadn´t heard from him and I have sadly been dealing with my husbands dementia and who had to go into care in 2021 - I decided today to check on the internet only to discover that Denny had passed away the same year.
I am saddened to read the news and send my love and condolences to all his family.
He was an amazing person and we shared many experiences especially in Scouting.

Leo Stephens

February 6, 2024

I find peace in knowing that people who inspire me also lived exemplary lives. Gentle history and an honourable legacy. Thank you.

Mary Anne Alton

October 12, 2021

My deepest sympathy to the May family. I interviewed Denny many years ago for a documentary on the history of bush pilots for History Television. Denny added so much to the documentary. He did such a great job of telling the Wop May story and archiving important documents and pictures. I was very grateful I had a chance to interview Denny.

John Wyman

October 10, 2021

I only briefly knew Denny, but for that brief time and a subsequent dinner with Marg (several years later), I can truly say he was a remarkable man who paid a great homage to his Father, Wop May, by promoting his post war exploits in Canada's north and his World War I heroics, helping to down the famous Baron Von Richtofen aka; "The Red Barron". Denny and Marg kindly opened up their home to my Father and I on a trip out West to recouperate and repair an Aeronca Champ out at the Cooking Lake airport. Dad and I spent an enjoyable week with them, talking "airplanes" and exchanging hangar stories every night after a day's work on the Champ. At the end of the week and when repairs were completed on the aircraft for a ferry flight back home to Montreal, I took Denny up for a ride around the lake, remarking, from his handling of the aircraft, that he had at one time flown similar planes and that his hand at the craft had never really left his bones. We had a delightful half hour or so around the patch!

After my dinner with Denny and Marg a few years back (at their local favourite restaurant/diner) , Denny gave me 3 or 4 editions of some books he wrote about his Father, Wop. Naturally, they were all historically accurate, well written and engaging; a testament to his many talents and abilities. He was a gifted writer and storyteller.

Full of a dry wit and equally a very attentive and gentle man, Denny, I am sure, will be missed by a great many people in the Greater Edmonton community and especially the tight circle of historical aviation people in the area. I certainly will miss him and I cherish the short time spent in his, and Marg's company.

Blue skies Denny...

John Wyman

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