Bernard May was born in Armagh, Northern Ireland and baptized on 23 June 1847. Margaret May was sponsor to the baptism. He was the son of Michael May and Susan McAree and the grandson of Thomas May and Margaret (O)Donnell(y) May and James McAree and Mary Downing. He had eight known brothers and sisters; Margaret b. 1837, Mary May b. 1839, Thomas May b. 1841, James May b. 1844, Michael May b. 1845, John May b. 1850, Patrick May b. 1852, Susan b. 1855.
Bernard emigrated to America in 1863, at the age of 17, arriving in New York on May 9, onboard the ship "Monarch of the Sea" the profession he listed was "Groom".
He moved to Yonkers, where he met and married Catherine Daly. Bernard and Catherine were married in St. Mary's Church on the 24 September 1867; the witnesses to the marriage were James Joseph Kearney and Margaret Foley.
He was a Blacksmith, horseshoer, and Wheelwright, having a thriving business at 37 Atherton Street, Yonkers, and was considered an expert at his trade. The family lived at 2 Irving Place, Yonkers.
He was the father of Bernard C. (1868-), Thomas James (1869-1961), Joseph Albert (1875-1953), Margaret (1872-1944), John Joseph (1878-) and Frank (Frances) Xavier May (1882-1963). Bernard was active in the Yonkers Community; was an honorary member of the Protection Engine Fire Company No.1 (fire department) and did contract work for the City of Yonkers throughout his life.
Bernard died at the age of 49 on November 22, 1895 and was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery. He and Catherine remained Yonkers residents until their deaths.
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| Date of Birth | 1st Jun 1847 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 21st Nov 1895 | |
