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Condolences
My belated condolences to the family. Since meeting Denny in 1963, he has been one of the fondly-remembered individuals in my growing up.
posted by Don Chapman : In 1963, I was part of a Boy Scout "adventure trip" from Alberta to the Philmont Boy Scout ranch in New Mexico. For me, it was a consolation prize for not having been successful at winning a trip that summer to the World Boy Scout Jamboree in Greece.
A key organizer of that trip to New Mexico was Denny May. There were about 50 of us plus leaders. We travelled in a school bus with Denny's car as an escort. Because I suffer motion sickness, I got extra time in the escort car.
A few years back I was in email contact with Denny, reminding him that I was one of the participants. He did not remember me particularly (that can be a blessing), but we swapped a few stories.
Today, for a timeline I am working on, I was looking up information about Denny's father, the famous Alberta bush pilot, Wop May. In the process, I found the Denny sadly has died some time back. He was yet again another of the people I have met that one might have hoped would receive the Order of Canada prior to passing away; but I suspect not.
That particular award, in my limited experience, often goes to people who are as much celebrity as people of good works. : May 29, 2022
To Marg and your family, our condolences and love on Denny's passing. Hard to put into words, the stories, the love, and the unique and lovely person that was Denny.
You welcomed me into your home......."we need some renovations you said"......that was the start of a life long friendship and many renovations. Together we transformed your family home into Maycroft! I know it was hard for you both to move on from that home. It has been such a joy to have known him; the world was just a little better with Denny in it. Denny has a place in many peoples hearts.
posted by Dale and Karen Cantwell : Robertson Wesley Church : Oct 20, 2021
Dear Marg and family, we are so sorry to learn of your loss. Denny was a great human being, and will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace.
posted by Joe and Marta Collier : Through Robertson Wesley United Church. : Oct 16, 2021
Most sincere condolences... Denny was a real friend to me for many, many years. In my early teens in the late 1960's, it was Denny who turned the key to allow me to be "reassigned" to my preferred Jamboree opportunity. He recruited and supported me while I was in my later teen years to work with he and his team to promote the Venturer program in the Northern Region. I was encouraged by Denny to work at Camp Woods for the summer of 1971, where and when my wife Linda and I first met. I was supported by Denny in my successful application to join the Executive staff of Scouts Canada in 1975, and from then on throughout my entire career of service to Scouting Denny was for me a tremendous mentor, supporter, and great colleague. He will be fondly missed, until we meet again.
God grant you and your family comfort.
posted by D. Brent King : (known through Scouting.) : Oct 14, 2021
To Marg and your family, I send my condolences on Denny's passing. He was seen as a very
warm person who was interested in the well-being of so many people. His many values, skills and interests were evident. His life benefited society in so many ways. Few achieve as much as Denny.
posted by David Armstrong : I met Denny through Scouts Canada in the early eighties and remained in touch until I last talked to him about a year ago. : Oct 13, 2021
Great sadness. A great loss. Met and worked with him in Alberta Northern Region form 1973 to 1978. Condolences to all his family
posted by Ken McLeod : Throughout Scouting : Oct 13, 2021
It is with great sadness that I heard of Denny's passing. I knew him through the 18th Scout Group and with Bert we visited him in Whitehorse in the 80's on our traveling camp to the Yukon.
He will be much missed and fondly remembered. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
posted by Lew King : Throught Scouting and the 18th Scout Group ANAFVO. Calgary : Oct 12, 2021
Margaret, I offer my love for Denny, my prayers for you and your children and my deep thankfulness that Denny was in my life for almost 70 years. He was a joy to be with. "Wop" May stories were just an added bonus.
posted by Ruben (Butch) Nelson : When we met Denny and I were teenagers in the 18th Scout Troop in Calgary. A life-long friendship blossomed. : Oct 12, 2021
Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
posted by David Connell : I have many memories of Denny's involvement in training Scouts Canada leaders in Fort McMurray, from the late 1970's. : Oct 11, 2021
We are so very sorry for your loss Margaret, Tracy, Joanna and David. Our sincere condolences.
Barbara and Valerie Keslick. Michael and Nancy Egan. ❤️
posted by Barbara Keslick : Friend of the family. : Oct 10, 2021
I share your loss as you grieve for Denny. He was a fixture at all the Jamborees and camps I went to from Yellowknife to Sylvan Lake, Kananaskis or Fort Churchill. He stayed with us in Hay River on Scouting trips when i was a school boy in the 1960s and when I was going off to do my European adventure at 18 he had lots of advice and wrote a treasured introductory letter of reference for me to any scouts I might meet.
Thank you Denny for your service to humanity. Our condolences to you all.
posted by Sam HALL : Jon's brother : Oct 09, 2021
Thinking of you Marg in the passing of Denny. I remember how close you were and how you enjoyed activities together. Hold on to all your memories and bring them forward often. And when you are ready, give thanks for the years you shared together. Blessings, Rev. Dawne Taylor
posted by Dawne Taylor : I was a student intern at Robertson-Wesley UC when Marg was the administrator. : Oct 09, 2021
I first met Denny at the 1981 Jamboree (CJ 81) where he was the Scout Exec. in charge of recruiting, assigning and looking after the Jamboree Staff (or as called today "Offer of Service"). He was full of life and tried to meet and greet folks on arrival and at meal times. He was as genuine a person as one can find.
After the Jamboree, it was a long time later that I hooked up with Denny, in 1999. You see, both he and I were early users of the buying and selling platform, eBay. He was mostly a seller, and while I did some selling of Scout badges and other memorabilia, I was mostly a buyer. And Denny (Maycroft and later DRMXD) had collected many treasures during his scouting volunteer and executive staff times, and he was selling them, slowly but surely.
Denny rarely posted something for sale without adding a personal touch, often describing how the item came into existence and who and where he got it from. He was able to recall the history of the things for sale and described it on-line and often added more to the story in the shipping envelope or in an email to the buyer. Denny was rarely in a rush, often stacking up items for me to maximize savings on shipping for the buyer.
I particularly liked the oddball stuff Denny would occasionally sell...I am very proud of the "pancake sign with the initials QM" that he saved from a 1950 course he was involved in. And of his personal "Sixer stripes" and so much more. We had recently chatted via email about his stripes and then he sent me his picture of him as a Cub with the stripes. So special. He told me the picture had been buried in a pack of slides and he had recently found them and scanned them into digital pictures. I asked how? He told me the brand of scanner he bought and where to get one. Well, I had one delivered within 4 days and have been scanning old family slides and photos for 6 weeks now.
Along the way, I learned from Denny the story of his Dad, and other aviation history, as well. I also learned a few tidbits about how much he treasured Marg and family.
Denny, Rest in Peace. My sincere condolences to the May family.
posted by Steve Kavanagh : Long-time buyer from Denny of scouting stuff. : Oct 09, 2021
