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Byrnes"Bernie" May, age 88, a resident of Albuquerque, died April 19, 2000. He is survived by one daughter, Marcia A. Griffin of Santa Barbara, CA; one grandson, Frederick B. Howden IV of Houston, TX; one granddaughter, Melissa A. Howden of Oakland, CA; nephew, Dr. Alfred E. Dittert of Tempe, AZ; nieces, Joy D. Dale of Albuquerque, La Vera Farnworth of Sierra Madre, CA, and Gloria Speechley of Battlecreck, MI. Bernie was a graduate of Albuquerque High School and earned a BA Degree from UNM with a Major in Business Administration and Geology, and a Minor in Music. He also had a Commercial Aviator's License with a Flight Instructor's Rating. He was the President of May's Music Co., Inc. (now closed) in Albuquerque. Bernie was a member of first Albuquerque High School and University of New Mexico Bands and Albuquerque Civic Symphony Orchestra. He was a leader of his own famous, big band dance orchestra featuring Vivian Vance and the Golden Horn at UNM. He was a life member of UNM Alumni Association and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Circulation Manager of New Mexico State Tribune (now the Albuquerque Tribune), National Chairman of Music Association of 20-30 Clubs, Albuquerque Community Chest 20-30 Club organization committee member (now the United Way), founder of New Mexico Music Director's Association, New Mexico Music Teacher's Association, New Mexico State Fair Band Day and the Annual All-State Music Festival, State Chairman of Rural Music National Federation of Music Clubs and Music War Council of America, Director and President of Albuquerque Civic Symphony Orchestra (now New Mexico Symphony Orchestra), awarded Fellowship Diploma National College in Toronto, Canada, member of Dealer's Advisory Board Conn Band Instrument Co., Elkhart, IN, Director (two terms) and Secretary (one term) of the National Association of Music Merchants, Chief Flight Instructor USNR War Training Service in WWII, listed in Who's Who in the West, Who's Who in Commerce and Industry and International Who's Who Supplement, joined the Rotary Club of Albuquerque in 1948 and served as Entertainment Chairman under six Presidents, Program Chairman under two Presidents, member of Rotary Bowling Team for ten years, Program Speaker on two occasions, receiving standing ovations on both"The Story of the Golden Horn" and"The Earth Below", as a Rotary"Mashed Potato Circuit Program Speaker" by request talks were given on"The Story of the Golden Horn" at clubs throughout the state. Bernie was named the 14th Rotary Living Legend. A visitation will be held Monday, April 24, 2000, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Tuesday, April 25, 2000, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave. SE. A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. in the Palm Chapel of Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave. SE, with Reverend Tom Salmon officiating. Herbert Koogle, Col. Clay Keene, Rex Allender, J.D. Huss, Don Dresp, James Stevens, Dale Mackey and James Hulsman will serve as pallbearers. Woody Woodward, Douglas Ballard, Archie Westfall, Jack Campbell, Ken Hippe, Abe Pena, Charlie Davis, Ed Beaumont, Robert R. Ryan and Herbert Briggs will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bernie's name to The Albuquerque Rotary Charitable Foundation, 1650 University Blvd. NE, Ste. 105, Albuquerque, NM 87102 or The UNM Alumni Association c/o UNM Foundation, 2 Woodward Center, UNM, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Ave. SE, in charge of arrangements.
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