Re: Pelham Elementary Student Dies From H1N1
Boy?s death leaves questions, heartbreak
By JOSEPH G. COTE
Staff Writer
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Staff photo by COREY PERRINE Alan May stands in his garage near a bike belonging to his son, Justin, 8, Friday, Dec. 4 in Pelham. Justin, passed away in November after contracting the H1N1 virus. The family is not quite sure yet what happened medically, but Justin had cerebral palsy and asthma. The family has set up a fund to start a memorial in his honor. "It's a nice bike," Alan said. "It's too bad he was only able to ride it just once." Enlarge
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PELHAM ? Justin May was a fun kid who liked riding his bike, playing baseball, using the computer and having people come over to his house. And he was sicker than he deserved.
May was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was born. He also had asthma and, this fall, contracted the H1N1 virus, all of which combined with fatal consequences last month. He was 8 years old.
?He was a character, boy. He knew everybody,? his father, Alan May, said. ?I used to tell people he knew everyone at school, from the principal to the janitor.?
For the last seven years, May lived with his parents, Alan and Patricia May, and two sisters, India, 10, and his twin, Dara, in Pelham. The braces on his legs didn?t slow him down, not much at least. He rode a special tricycle around the neighborhood and played in the town?s youth baseball league for challenged kids, Alan May said.
?He could walk and run and bike. He did things other kids could do,? Alan May said. ?He was just a normal kid with braces.?
In fact, there?s a shiny new AmTryke in the May?s garage now. It was going to be a Christmas present, but Justin wanted to try it out so badly his parents gave in. He only got a chance to ride it once, though, Alan May said.
In late September May got sick, contracting the H1N1 virus, and spent eight days in October at Children?s Hospital Boston. He was sent home after a number of tests were conducted, but returned there Nov. 9. He died eight days later, and his family isn?t yet sure why. Alan May said he hopes to get Justin May?s medical files sometime next week.
?It could have been a number of things,? he said.
St. Patrick?s Church in Pelham was packed to the rafters for Justin May?s memorial service, with friends and family in addition to Justin?s teachers since pre-school and employees from Northeast Rehabilitation Services, Alan May said.
?People loved that kid. It was just his personality, you couldn?t help it,? he said. ?He was just such a good kid.?
Justin would have loved that. He was particularly fond of having a full house, his father said. He differed from many youngsters in that he wasn?t afraid to talk to and ask questions of new people or adults.
?He just loved people,? Alan May said. ?That?s who he was.?
Now the May family is trying to heal, Alan May said, which is a little harder during the Christmas season. Justin May was a big fan of the holidays and all the visitors they usually brought.
?It?s a tough thing for all of us,? Alan May said. ?We?re trying to cope with it. Maybe with time it will get a little easier.?
Alan May wants to erect a memorial, or a few memorials, to his son at some of his favorite places in town. He would like to install a bench or plaque, or maybe a tree, at places like the Pelham Elementary School, the Pelham Public Library and at the little league field. The family has established a memorial fund, the Justin Alan May Fund, at the Sovereign Bank at 150 Bridge St. in Pelham where donations can be sent.
?Just to remember him,? Alan May said. ?This is where he lived and all his classmates loved him. Just something to do for him, you know??
Joseph G. Cote can be reached at 594-6415 or
jcote@nasuatelegraph.com.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/466561-196/boys-death-leaves-questions-heartbreak.html
