William Albert Mattacott May

William Albert Mattacott May, 88 years of age, passed away peacefully, and on Jan. 26, 2017. Bill, as he was known to friends and family was born in his hometown of Franklin, New Jersey, on July 27, 1928, he graduated from Franklin High School in 1946. He lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. He loved playing sports and talked about it many times throughout his life. He played on Lorenzo’s basketball and baseball teams, Franklin baseball team, American Legion basketball team, and the Franklin Miners Semi-Pro Football Championship Team of 1946. He coached one of the first Little League teams in Franklin in the early 1950s. He was a member of Samaritan Lodge # 98, Scottish Right Valley of Northern New Jersey and Kittatinny Lodge #164. He was a 32 Degree, Master Mason for over 67 years. He was a Franklin Town Councilman and as such he was the Franklin Commissioner of Joint Municipal Consolidated Study Commission, member of the Public Safety Committee, Council liaison to the Board of Public Works, Economic Development at the Littell Community Center, and the Recreation Committee with Hardyston Township. As a youth, he was a water safety instructor and lifeguard at Franklin Pond.
Bill was in his own words “a nut for aircraft!” He loved airplanes, watching football on TV, the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. He was a dog lover all his life and deeply enjoyed sitting outside on a sunny day, riding all around Sussex and Warren Counties enjoying the scenery and sharing life stories while spending time with his family.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Albert Cecil Mattacott May and Mildred Marie Jones, his baby brother, Edward Charles Mattacott May, his brother, Robert E. Mattacott May, his son, William Michael May, his granddaughter, Deandra F. May, and his grandson, Kiel J. O’Brien. He is survived by his sister Marlene Redden and husband Bud Redden of Ogdensburg, daughter, Donna L. Roby and husband Jeffrey M. Roby of Hardyston, daughter, Janice May and Michael Cunningham of Hamburg, daughter Jackie O’Brien and husband Kelly of Virginia Beach Virginia, son Christopher J. May and Yvette Ziegler of Lake Wallkill, son, John E. May and wife Kristen of Malta, New York. Eight grandchildren-Danielle Kapetanakis, Austin May, Lauren Roby, Lindsay Roby, Eric May, Shannon O’Brien, and Sean and Bryn May. He had two nieces, three nephews, and two great-grandsons.
Announcements for the celebration of his life will be given at the funeral. His memorial gathering will be Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9, at F. John Ramsey Funeral Home. The funeral is on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m.. Masonic services will be held at the funeral home Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. For directions and online condolences please see www.fjohnramseyfuneralhome.com.