THE ADVOCATE 731
VOL. 79 PART 5 SEPTEMBER 2021
Ralph Albert May
It is with great sadness but fond memories that we
mourn the passing of Ralph May on February 24,
2021 at the all-too-early age of 71. He left a void that
will be hard to fill. Ralph was a lawyer, farmer,
devoted family man, historian, storyteller, mentor
and friend. Born on the family farm in Richmond,
B.C., Ralph grew up, raised his family and practised
his entire career in the community, leaving a legacy that will be long
remembered.
In 1968, Ralph had the good fortune of meeting Judy Cruickshank. They
met at a dance held at the May farm, were married three years later and
went on to have three wonderful children: Warren, Lindsay and Spencer.
Spencer is now a partner in the firm that bears his father’s name.
Ralph and Judy attended UBC together, where Ralph studied commerce
and law while Judy studied education. Ralph worked on the farm on weekends
and in the summers to make ends meet. Together they completed
their educations, launched professional careers and embarked on the wild
ride of parenthood. As a couple, they were a perfect match and an inspiration
to all who knew them. Ralph attributed much of his success to the love
and support that Judy provided throughout their years together. His love
was evident when a more serious side of Ralph emerged during Judy’s successful
surgery to remove a tumor from the base of her brain. Ralph and
Judy travelled together extensively, including a lengthy backpacking trip
through Europe and two safaris in Africa. These trips were a blessing, one
of the highlights of their time together and perhaps a lesson to young
lawyers not to put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
With school complete, Ralph’s next big break was an interview with the
fledging Richmond law firm of Mosley Campbell, where he interviewed with
his future partners, Bill Campbell and Ray Froh. The interview took place at a
local bar, and despite Ralph spilling an entire beer on his lap, Bill and Ray had
the good judgment to offer him a job. Following his year of articling, Ralph was
called to the bar in 1975, became an associate and a few years later joined the
partnership. By 1984, the firm had transformed and became known as Campbell
Froh May & Rice, which name endures to this day. Ralph was an immediate
success. His partner, Ray Froh, frequently commented on his ability to
attract clients early in his career, long before he had the expertise that was to
come. Fortunately, Ralph was a quick study and his career blossomed.