Edward Haichee Lee's Obituary
Edward Haichee Lee, aged 81, of Foster City, suddenly and sadly passed away at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center at 12:15 on May 6, 2023. While waiting for his chemotherapy to begin that morning, a pulmonary embolism was suspected of causing his cardiac arrest.
Edward was born on October 28, 1941 according to the Chinese Lunar calendar in the Hunan province of China. He was the second child and son to Si-Ho Lee and Lien Hing Tsang. He attended National Taiwan Normal University’s high school extension for gifted and talented students and graduated from Wong Shiu Chee High School in Hong Kong. Edward later graduated from the New Asia College at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1965 with a Bachelors degree and received a Masters Degree from University of Denver in 1967. He married Diana, his high school sweetheart, in 1967 in Hong Kong before they immigrated to the U.S. Edward’s career began as a professor at Baptist College of Hong Kong Chinese University. When he moved to the States, he was recruited to a managerial trainee program for May Department stores and was promoted to General Manager to run the entire Asia Pacific region. He decided to try his hand as a small business owner running a rattan furniture store before he accepted a managerial position at Pacific Bell. He worked at Pacific Bell for 18 years before taking an early retirement package as a Director. Edward’s community service was more extensive and reflected his genuine goodwill to all. From 1962-1965, Edward organized a group of his fellow peers to build roads, piers, houses, and bridges voluntarily in the impoverished countryside of Hong Kong during every summer vacation. The group grew to a few hundred volunteers and became famous in Hong Kong for their charitable work. From 1978-1982, Edward started a Chinese language school in Berryessa, California as a volunteer principal where he hired and paid teachers to teach students Chinese language and culture every Saturday morning. In 1985-1986, he was elected to be a volunteer principal of the North Peninsula Mandarin School where he organized fundraisers and hired teaching staff to ensure its smooth operation. During the 1990’s, Edward volunteered to teach Mandarin classes at Bowditch Middle School because the original teacher left and a paid replacement couldn’t be found. In 2000, after the death of his son James Hsu Lee, Edward created a Memorial Fund in honor of his son’s life. The fund still continues to award annual scholarships to graduating seniors of San Mateo High School who demonstrate leadership in water polo. He also assumed the Presidency for the Overseas Alumni Association for New Asia College and the Overseas Alumni Association for Chinese University. After moving into the Foster Square retirement community, Edward chaired the Social and Community Outreach Committee where he arranged many luncheons. From 2018-2020, he volunteered his time daily to keep Alzheimer patients company at the Atria Assisted Living facility in Foster City. His final leadership post was when he was elected to serve on the HOA Board as a volunteer director. He will always be remembered fondly by those who loved him as a giant in kindness and generosity.
Edward is survived by his spouse of 56 years Diana Lee, his daughter Ann, his son John, his four grandchildren Carter, Davis, Logan, and Adelina, his four siblings, many nieces and nephews, and many friends. He is predeceased by his parents Si-Ho and Lien Hing Lee, his older brother, and his son James Lee who passed away on
December 8, 1999. Please join us in celebrating his remarkable life at 10am on May 24, 2023. The family will receive friends from 2-5pm on May 23, 2023 during which time an intimate Buddhist ceremony will be held. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the James Lee Memorial Scholarship by writing a check to San Mateo High School, c/o Evestella Hanson, 506 N. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA 94401 and write “James Lee Memorial Scholarship” in the memo section on the check.
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