John C. Sherwood

Tim May, 61, principal of St. Philip Catholic Central High School, died unexpectedly Monday, according to a statement issued by the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo.

About 75 people, including students and parents, gathered shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Grotto, a shrine to the Virgin Mary in front of St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, for a 10-minute service in May's memory.

Information about the cause of death was not available, diocese officials said.

The Rev. John Fleckenstein, pastor and administrator for the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools, told students of May's death during a school assembly Tuesday morning, according to the statement.

"Mr. May did much for our schools during the year and a half he served as high school principal," Fleckenstein was quoted as saying in the statement. "His presence, confidence, knowledge, and wisdom will be greatly missed."

May was appointed high school principal in June 2013. He had previously been an educator and sports coach with other public schools in the Battle Creek area.

Funeral arrangements for May are pending, according to the office of the diocese, which said that May had two adult sons, Travis and Tom May.

May was an active member of the parish, diocese officials said. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in education from Michigan State University.

May was employed by the Battle Creek Public Schools from 1986 to 2002, and was a varsity baseball coach at Battle Creek Central High School from 1987 to 1996. He also served as a girls varsity and junior varsity basketball coach at BCCHS from 1986 to 1987.

From 2002 to 2004, May also was a varsity assistant baseball coach at Pennfield High School. May also worked as a tutor, as a special education teacher and worked with students at the Calhoun Area Career Center.

"Mr. May was much more than a high school administrator," Fleckenstein said. "He was a man who truly loved being principal, loved his faith, and loved the students he led."

The Rev. Francis Marotti, St. Philip Parish Associate Pastor and St. Philip's chaplain, along with school and area counselors, were made available Tuesday to comfort and assist students, according to the statement.

Call John C. Sherwood at 966-0698. Follow him on Twitter at @jcsherwood.