He once broadcast a state football game from a woman's apartment across the street from the stadium and was as comfortable interviewing former St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog as he was the Triad football coach.

He never stopped trying to bring the joy of prep sports to others, right up until last Saturday, when he died of an apparent heart attack at age 67.

May was a fixture at so many events it almost seemed like he was part of the very framework of the area sports scene.

He had a kind word for everyone, always touted the talents and accomplishments of local athletes, seemed to know someone everywhere he went and never seemed to miss out on the hospitality rooms and buffet lines in towns large and small throughout the state.

May was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983. Here are some remembrances by the News-Democrat sports staff and others:

"I remember working at the Collinsville Herald in the early 1990s. I would time my departure from work to coincide with listening to Joe on his half-hour radio show at 5:30 p.m. on WINU. By the time I got to Belleville, the show was wrapping up. I'll always remember Joe's unbridled passion for our local teams and athletes -- and how supportive he was to all of them. He also was a big fan of the News-Democrat. Every time I saw Joe, he would say, "You guys all do a great job over there." One time I was coming home from Champaign and Joe was doing an advertisement for the News-Democrat. He asked, "What's black, white and read all over? Well, it's the Belleville News-Democrat."

-- David Wilhelm, News-Democrat

"There were so many times I wondered how Joe was even getting his broadcast out, but nothing seemed to bother him. Whether he was talking into a microphone, a regular telephone, on the Internet, a cell phone or into a tape recorder, his familiar tones somehow made the game seem a little more important. Always a joy to be around and a true walking and talking encyclopedia of local sports, May held court with the media and fans at nearly every gym, football field and baseball or softball facility throughout the metro-east. He was a true pioneer in local sports broadcasting circles and will be sorely missed."

-- Norm Sanders, News-Democrat.

"I remember covering the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament in 1991 when Belleville West won the championship, and Joe showed up to broadcast the title match. Somebody asked Joe if he'd ever covered a volleyball match before, and Joe said, 'No, but I'll just wing it. It can't be too difficult.' The match starts and I heard Joe announcing over the radio, 'Tap, tap, pooch.' Joe was one of a kind, and a fervent supporter of high school athletics in the metro-east. He'll be missed."

-- Steve Korte, News-Democrat

"Many of us grew up in the 1970s and '80s listening to Mr. May's colorful broadcasts of the big game and top teams on WIBV Radio or local cable. 'This is Joe May, good day' was his popular catch phrase that ended his broadcasts. His unique style and vast knowledge of the sport at hand was second to none. Whether it was high school football, local college basketball or American Legion Baseball, he was there to describe the action. As an athlete, it seemed he was always there announcing your team's game.

-- Kevin McFarland, Belleville

"Joe, we all know, wasn't the greatest technical broadcaster ever. But he certainly would be under consideration for the title of most passionate about the home team to ever talk into a mike. And that was his great strength. He lived and died with 'our team.' And his joy or pain about the way the game was going were easily felt by all his listeners. In that way, he was much like Harry Caray. You always knew how both Joe and Harry felt by listening for a few seconds.

"If we all would apply a bit of Joe's passion to the support of our high school kids and their teams, I'm sure he'd be happy in Heaven. Joe was the metro-east icon of his era and genre. And sadly, there are few local radio stations anymore that feature high school sports as we did in those days to help generate new Joe Mays. He has taken that concept with him."

-- Tom Calhoun, former Joe May broadcast partner.

"Joe was the voice of the metro-east airwaves. He had a booming voice that matched his personality. While listening to high school football, American Legion baseball and high school basketball he was wonderful. (Listening) as a child, I could hear him paint a picture of the event. I had no idea what Township Stadium, or Parsons Field looked like. Joe told us not just about the game, but the weather, the fans ... you could close your eyes and smell the hot dogs on the grill."

-- Paul Baillargeon, Millstadt.

"Joe and I worked together for about 17 years at WIBV. He always displayed an upbeat, positive attitude even toward the end when he endured severe health problems. He usually had a project he was working on and described whatever it was in enthusiastic terms.

"My lasting impression of Joe is that he was a positive person who didn't allow setbacks to affect his outlook on life. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met. He enjoyed his job and it showed."

-- Jack Le Chien, Belleville