Donald A. May, 49, of North Charleroi, died Friday, November 19, 2021 in the Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born July 3, 1972 in New Eagle, the son of the late Arnold Alfred May and Carol Joan Runyan May who survives and resides in Bethel Park.
From 1994 to 1998, Don served in the US Air Force and was stationed at Offutt AFB, NE during Operation Southern Watch, an air-centric military operation conducted by the Department of Defense. During his military service in Nebraska, he was a fireman and EMT in Plattsmouth. Don was presently employed by the Golden Triangle Construction Company in Imperial where he worked for the past eighteen years. Don was an Emergency Medical Technician formerly at Tri-Community Ambulance in Monongahela and currently at Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services. He was also medical personnel for the Mon Valley Thunder Youth Hockey League. In 1986, at the age of fourteen, Don began his years in fire service at Gallatin Sunnyside Volunteer Fire Dept. At one time, he was a paid fireman for North Strabane Township and volunteered his time at several other departments in the surrounding areas. Currently, he was an active firefighter with the Duquesne VFD, the Blaine Hill VFC where he was a trustee, and the Lock No. 4 VFC where he was a Captain. He was a PA State Fire Academy evaluator in which he was very involved. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba diving, baseball, riding motorcycles and was an avid Bronco's fan.
In addition to his mother, Don is survived by his wife, Deanna Dean May; son, Michael A. May of North Charleroi; daughter, Kaitlyn May (Griffin Krick) of Greensburg; sister, Colleen (James) McLane and their daughter, Kailee of Palm Harbor, Florida; sister-in-law, Debi Dean of North Charleroi; aunt, Cheryl Runyan of Bethel Park; uncle, Harold Runyan of Clinton; significant other, Wendee Ashbaugh Dudek, and her brother, Robert "Bert" Ashbaugh of North Charleroi, and her son, Sebastian of Belle Vernon.
Private visitations for the family will be on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at which time a firefighter's memorial service will be held virtually at 5:00 PM. Graveside committal services will also be held virtually at 12:15 PM on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 in the Monongahela Cemetery with military honors accorded by the US Air Force and the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad. Funeral services will be officiated by the Chaplain Wayne Ray. A Facebook Live link will be accessible on both Lock Four, as well as the Blaine Hill Fire Department Facebook pages.
It is understood that this may dishearten some of Don's extended family and wishing to pay your final respects in person, however, the family is also making sure that everyone stays healthy this holiday season. The family is planning a memorial service to be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 or online at www.firehero.org.