George Arthur May, Jr.

George A. May, Jr., 88, of Lexington and West Newton, MA, died peacefully on February 5, 2025, after a long illness.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky to Mildred (Scheirich) May and Dr. George A. May, Sr., George grew up in Madison, Indiana where his father was a general physician and surgeon.  He was educated at Mercersburg Academy, Yale College and Harvard Medical School.  At Yale, he studied anthropology and art history in addition to pre-medical sciences and was active in musical pursuits, including the J.E. Jesters, an a capella vocal ensemble.

George met his wife of 67 years, Beth Butler, during his freshman year at Yale and they married shortly after graduation in June of 1958.  After medical school, he trained in General Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and then joined the staff of the Newton Wellesley Hospital where he practiced for 34 years as a founding member of Newton Wellesley Surgeons.  In addition to his general practice, George served as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Tufts Medical School and was an active member of the New England Surgical Society and the American College of Surgeons. George was highly respected by his patients, students, colleagues and staff.

George was an avid outdoorsman and long-time member of The Country Club in Brookline, MA, where he enjoyed golf and was a champion skeet shooter. He summited Mount Kilimanjaro and loved climbing the peaks of Mt Desert Island, Maine where he spent his summers with family and friends.

A passionate reader and lifelong learner, George was a member of The Tuesday Club of West Newton, presenting annually on wide-ranging topics.  After retirement, George became a skilled watercolorist and actively championed the interests and accomplishments of his grandchildren, faithfully attending sporting events, concerts, and dance performances.

George is survived by his wife, Beth Butler May; his children - Dr. Sarah K. May (Douglass Johnston), Geoffrey A. May (Elliott Buck) and Peter F. May; six grandchildren - Charles S. May, George A. May III, Caroline S. May, Benson C. May, Gideon C. May, and Isabella M. May; and one great grandchild, Hadley J. May. He was predeceased by his sister Ellen Parr May Oliver of Columbia, SC.

A service of remembrance will be held at First Parish Church in Weston MA at 11:00 am on Friday, March 7.

Memorial contributions may be made in George's name to the Alzheimer's Association or the Dr. Grable Surgical Education Fund at Newton Wellesley Hospital.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookhaven Gardenview for their loving care of George in his final years.