- May 1 Juan de Dios Castillo, Mexican soccer coach (Copa Centroamericana 2011 Honduras; El Salvador), dies of skin cancer at 63
- May 6 Jimmy Ellis, American boxer (WBA heavyweight title 1968-70), dies from dementia at 74
- May 9 Mel Patton, American athlete (Olympic gold 200m, 4x100m relay 1948; WR 100 yards 9.2s 1948), dies at 89
- May 11 Reg Gasnier, Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame centre and captain (36 Tests; 3 World Cups; St. George RLFC), dies at 74
- May 19 Jack Brabham, Australian auto racer and team owner (World F1 champion 1959, 60, 66 [only man to win F1 C'ship driving one of his own cars]), dies of liver disease at 88
- May 20 Phil Sharpe, English cricket batsman (12 Tests, 1 x 100, 4 x 50, HS 111; Yorkshire CCC, Derbyshire CCC), dies at 77
- May 24 David Allen, English cricket all-rounder (39 Tests, 5 x 50, 122 wickets, BB 5/30; Gloucestershire CCC), dies at 78
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Tennis Champions