Not sure that May is due all of the credit here. If you read the article, rather than say that He purchased the house, he instead refers to WE, Patrick' friends.
// As Patrick's friends, WE have been discussing possible futures for some time //
// ...they've managed to sniff out about how WE, as Patrick's friends, helped him in his latter years //
Rather than a solo act, I am guessing that May was part of a Trust set up to provide bursaries and help for young astromeners. This would be done with the proceeds of the sale of his house after jis death. This would ensure that death duties would be avoided. Proceeds from the sale could be left in his will to the Trust, thus bye-passing the taxman.