Inventor and political activist Marvin May died recently at age 86, following a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. May owned Hermosa Beach-based Tite-Nites, which manufactured waterbed accessories. Among his inventions was a devise that kept  bed sheets from slipping off waterbeds.
May was active locally in the Hermosa Beach Historical Society and internationally in South East Asia non profits. His wife June worked in Cambodia for seven years prior to the couple’s marriage. They were introduced by their daughters Melody May and Andrea Pulcini when the children were in preschool together. May was previously married to screenwriter Elaine May. Their daughter Jeannie Berlin appears in the current movie “Inherent Vice,” about a South Bay detective.
Another entertainment friend was folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, who frequently stayed with May and Pulcini and performed house concerts at the couple’s Strand home.
May’s Eldon Bowl A Matic was named Game of the Year in 1962 and he continued inventing new games until shortly before his death.
“When the firefighters would do their annual inspection of our factory, Marvin would let them play the games he was working on, but make them sign non disclosure agreements,” his wife June recalled.
May once said he spent almost as much money fighting patent infringements as he earned from his patents.
A memorial service is planned, but has not yet been scheduled. ER
