About: Donald Lee
Missing in the "Erik" Fishing Boat Accident on July 3, 2011
Don Lee was a man that was passionate about his family, friends, food, and fishing. As a husband, he was the perfect compliment to his wife, May, doing all the house chores she wouldn't, particularly cooking. When he did something funny their laughter was that of two teenagers, in love, for the very first time. As a daddy, he was his daughters' Mandi and Janine's hero, always taking the initiative and often insisting on lending a helping hand. As a friend, he was reliable and always willing to offer his labor in exchange for a steak or Chinese dinner. Don was warm, generous and welcoming to everyone in his life where he shared his passions with them, telling strangers his fishing stories or delivering food to his dentist's offices, buddies at the dealership, or to his neighbors … just because.In his final years, before going missing, he was living life to its fullest, especially after retiring in 2008 where he spent 40 years in the auto parts industry. Up until these years Don started out with a tough life, being raised in a traditional Chinese home where work came first, education last. Growing up in an abusive environment, Don searched for stability and security which he finally found after meeting the love of his life, May. Together they built a life, struggled to make ends meet as Don raised his family and financially supported a daughter from a previous marriage, Catrina. Don and May sacrificed everything to raise their two daughters in order to give them the life neither of them had which grounded their marriage. So without much money for recreation, Don found happiness in his family and friends. While he sacrificed so much to put food on the table, his emphasis on education and instilling strong work ethic echoed throughout the Lee household. Without saying watching his three girls graduate from college, wife May, and daughters Mandi and Janine, were his proudest moments, which also included Mandi's Masters Degress in Early Childhood Education.
By the time Don retired, he was so proud of his accomplishments in life which was a successful, close knit family and a large network of friends and acquaintances that adored him. It was in this time he re-discovered his wife and fell in love with her all over again, gave his daughters away to two devoted son-in-laws, met and babysat his grandsons and traveled to China and Mexico for his annual fishing trips. "Do It Now" he would say. So upon Don going missing, family and friends are at peace with the fact that Don went missing ... living life to its fullest.
If you have any photos, videos, stories or thoughts that you would like to share about Donald Lee, please email findourfathers@gmail.com.
