NORWICH – Edward J. Lee, 88, of Norwich died peacefully surrounded by his family on June 30th.
Ed was born in Norwich on Sept. 27, 1919, the son of David F. Lee and Mary Belisle Lee.
Ed attended parochial and public schools in Norwich and Binghamton. He later attended and graduated from Syracuse University and St. John’s Law School. He graduated after his education had been interrupted by his service in World War II. He was an aerial gunnery instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps and later a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. His military service included flying B-17’s as a command pilot and picking up RAF and American POW’s and returning them to England. He was discharged from the service in 1945 and held the rank of Major, U.S. Air Force, Retired.
Ed resumed law school after his discharge and graduated in 1946. He was admitted to the Bar that year and joined with his father and brother in the practice of Lee, Gallagher & Lee. The firm, now known as Lee, Emerson & Ferrarese recently celebrated 100 years in service. Ed practiced law in Norwich for 53 years. He was a member of the Chenango County Bar Association (past President), New York State Bar Association (past Vice President and Treasurer), Federation of the Bar for the 6th Judicial District (past President) and the American Bar Association.
Ed loved his community and served it in many ways. He was active in the community as Board Member, President and Trustee of the YMCA, and Board Member and Counsel of Chenango Memorial Hospital for 27 years. He was instrumental in starting the Norwich Community Chest, which later became the United Way, and served on its board. He served as attorney for the City of Norwich and the Norwich City Schools and was an active member of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, having served as Chairman of their capital campaign to build Holy Family School. Ed was a Trustee for the Greater Norwich Foundation and The Roger Follett Foundation. Ed was a long time member of the Elks Lodge, Rotary Club, VFW and American Legion.
Ed was very active in skeet shooting winning many championships. He was world champion in the 28 gauge class in 1967. He was the first person to be inducted into the NYS Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame in 1985 and in 1986 was inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the Lost Pond Club.
His wife of 64 years, Ellen Hayes Lee, from Newport, R.I., survives Ed. He is also survived by his daughters Cynthia Maynerd, Virginia Lee and Nancy McGann, four grandchildren, Lee Skillin, and his wife Amy, Cory Skillin, Andrew McGann and Mollie McGann, his son-in-law Tom McGann, sister-in-law Alice Lee, several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Ed was predeceased by his infant son John and his granddaughter Emily Maynerd, his son-in-law Ron Maynerd, his sisters Margaret Dessauer and Mary Murphy and his brother David F. Lee, Jr.
The family is grateful for the warm care provided in Ed’s final days. Hospice of Chenango County and a team of wonderful women made his care at home possible.
Friends may call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in memory of Ed to either Edward J, Lee Law Scholarship, c/o the Greater Norwich Foundation, NBT Bank, 55 So. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 or to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.