Dr. Gerald Richard May, 75, of Neptune Beach, passed away Wednesday January 17, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Gerry was born in Sebring, Ohio on March 9, 1948. He attended Sebring-McKinley High School where he graduated in 1966 as a Valedictorian. In 1970, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. He went on to receive his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in 1974. He completed his residency in radiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He began his 40-year career in radiology at the Mayo Clinic as a consultant and instructor of radiology.
Gerry loved learning and loved to share his passion for radiology with others. He traveled across the country teaching about diagnostic and interventional radiology and his research in the field. Gerry developed several innovative and effective interventional techniques during his career that are still being utilized today. He even traveled internationally as a visiting professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He was also an author, contributing to several peer-reviewed articles and books. In 1986, Gerry moved to Seattle, Washington working as a radiologist at Virginia Mason Medical Center and Puget Sound Radiology.
In 1992, Gerry relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to work as a consultant and assistant professor of radiology at Mayo Clinic. He was soon accepted as the “go-to” radiologist for his valued opinion in difficult diagnostic and interventional cases. In Jacksonville, Gerry met his beloved wife, Blair. They were married on December 18, 1994 and had two children Macy (1995) and Max (1997). Gerry loved spending time with his friends and family. He took his family on many memorable trips including a cruise to explore Alaska, snow-skiing in Colorado, and relaxing in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Gerry was very active and always outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, snow-skiing and was an avid runner, committed to running before work every morning and completing a marathon. He supported Blair frequently at her tennis matches and was nicknamed Blair’s “good luck charm”. He will be deeply missed.
Gerry is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Alice May, his sister, Joyce May, and his family pets- Lucy, Ethel, and Bella May. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Blair May, his two children, Macy May and Max May, his brother, Ken Roberts, and his beloved dogs, Angel, Ellie, Maya and Cookie.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at San Jose Catholic Church, 3619 Toledo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32217. This will be followed by interment at Oaklawn Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Fraser Funeral Home.
San Jose Catholic Church
San Jose Catholic Church
Oaklawn Cemetery
Debbie Leitman
January 24, 2024, 10:09 am
Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you. I could tell from Gerald’s obituary that he was a loving husband and father and an intelligent Doctor! He will be missed! ❤️🙏
Sidney and Jacque Drashin
January 24, 2024, 10:31 am
We were devastated to learn of Gerry’s passing and send our sincere condolences to the family. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Megi Goxhaj
January 24, 2024, 10:59 am
Rest in peace, Dr. May! Thank you for your kindness. I’ll always remember that one trip to Kiawah Island and how much fun we all had. Thank you for giving me Macy. She’s the sister I always wanted, and I’ll always be there for her! I’m praying for your beautiful family, and I hope God grants them peace during this difficult time.
Jill Handler Grens
January 24, 2024, 11:50 am
You are all in our hearts and in our prayers for healing. Gerry will be missed, but he will be forever with us in memory! Love You All! Jill and Chris Grens
Tad Berkowitz
January 24, 2024, 12:52 pm
I never had the opportunity to meet him but wow what a great man, husband, and father. Prayers to Blair and family during this difficult time. ❤️
Robin & Todd Corley
January 24, 2024, 2:05 pm
Wishing you all love & hugs & prayers during this emotional time. We enjoyed meeting Gerry later in life… he was still so handsome. Blair, Macy, & Max, Cherish your loving memories with your husband and dad… he was certainly one of a kind. 🙏🏼💙
Andrea Lockard
January 24, 2024, 3:06 pm
Keeping you, Macy, and Max in my prayers. So many fond memories of Gerry. He was kind, intelligent, and athletic. My students and I will always be grateful for his generous contribution of running shoes and motivation that started them running. He will be missed.
Maril Onnen
January 24, 2024, 3:29 pm
Dear Blair, Gerry was such a fine doctor. He was what I thought every doctor should be. He was brilliant in his field. He explained problems and was willing to take the time to discuss with his patients the what, where, and how regarding their medical issues. He had a gentle voice and a comforting self-assured touch. You have always been the woman behind the man and created a loving family life for Gerry and your children. I was always in awe of your energy and multitasking abilities.
Francine Serur
January 24, 2024, 5:05 pm
Blair John and I are thinking about you and your family. Jerry was a special guy and you were so lucky to have him so long. Please accept our condolences and know you are on our minds.
Linda and Ed Salem
January 25, 2024, 1:09 pm
Blair, Macy and Max, We are so saddened by your loss. May your treasured memories be forever held in your heart. Be strong, my friend Blair, I know you have the support and love of so many around you. May he rest in peace. 🙏🏼♥️
Donna Shaw
January 26, 2024, 11:24 am
Blair, my deepest sympathy goes out to you Macy and Max. Gerry was such an Amazing Doctor, Father and Husband. Al and I are keeping you and the family in our hearts and in our prayers. When times seem unbearable just remember he is at peace in heaven and will be with you always.
ALBERT HAKAIM
January 26, 2024, 3:05 pm
It was a privilege to know and work with Gerry. I am sure you have wonderful memories to comfort you. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you. I am sure he is at peace.
David Miller
January 27, 2024, 9:38 am
A great partner – a better friend. Jerry was a member of that small and very tight group of interventionists who were at Mayo Clinic when I joined the practice. Always a great source of information, he would share his experience and his insights freely with me. While the procedures were not exactly the same, Jerry had a great way of looking at things. Never flustered, he would always quickly break things down into the “practical“ and “most reasonable” approaches to the problem. On a personal level, Jerry was a very bright man with a quick wit, and a real appreciation for irony. He kept what could often be a tense workplace lighthearted, and even at times “fun“. He will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered, by all those who worked with him.
Matt Russell
January 30, 2024, 2:33 pm
I was one of Dr. May’s former residents. All I can say is I loved Gerry. The man was simply brilliant, unflappable and always able to solve any problem. And in the interventional world, working with him was the best because he let you you try and figure it out yourself, knowing full well that he could bail you out anytime you got yourself in trouble. I still have many great stories about my time working with him that I share to this day. I guarantee he will always be fondly remembered by any resident that had the benefit of getting to work with him.