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Victor Lee Obituary

Victor Lee Passed away on December 16, 2005 in the presence of his family and friends at age 53. Preceded in death by his father, Toy. Survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Diane; daughter, Monica; mother, Lai Seung; sister, Bonnie and longtime companion Richard; brothers, Vincent and wife, Suzy, Henry and wife, May, Jerry and wife, Gloria, Kevin; and many nephews and nieces. Friends may celebrate his life on Sunday, January 8 at 1 PM, United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave, SF. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Victor Lee's memory to On Lok, Cameron House, SF SPCA, or Monica Lee Custodial Account c/o Vincent Lee, 170 Port Royal, Foster City 94404. For more info www.gianthorse.com/victorlee.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 30, 2005 to Jan. 5, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Victor Lee

Sponsored by the Lee and Ma Family.

25 Entries

December 25, 2019

Hard to believe it's been 14 years. I shall never for
get Victor as a great employee and friend, Dave Zimmerman

Lillian Hom

December 24, 2019

Lee family,
Its been 14 years since you left. I still have constant memories of good times and laughter with you.

will Li

May 5, 2011

What happened to Victor? What was the cause of his death? I saw him in 2002 when he was at Dudley Perkins on South Van Ness with his wife and daughter. He was there for the free dinner.

Sabrina Leong

January 10, 2006

Dear Diane and Monica,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. If there is anything I can help, please let me know.

Michael & Mei & Alika Koga

January 10, 2006

Diane & Monica

Please dont hesitate to contact us for any help in your time of need. We will always be available for you and Monica, especially in ths coming days,weeks, and months as you and Monica try to get on with life!

It wont be an easy task, still alot of things to take care of and finalize in the days to come.

Monica if you ever need a friend to play with, Alika will always be there for you, as well as Diane, you are always welcome anytime.

The celebration this past sunday turned out beautiful and the planning committee did an excellent job putting it all together, everyone deserves a big pat on the back for the efforts. We know that Victor would of been happy to see everyone and to know that he had so many friends and relatives. He has touched many hearts and souls in his life! We will always remember Victor!

Take care and may you both be blessed in your time of need!

The Lee and Ma family is to be commended for putting this all to gether!

Thanks you again for lettins us be a part of this process in Victor's last days! We enjoyed every minute of it.

Love

The Koga's

Eckstein Mitchell

January 9, 2006

Diane,

I am very sorry for your loss.

Love, Mitch

Tommy, June & Family Lum

January 8, 2006

Diane,

We are sadden to hear that Victor has past away. We cherish the New Year Eve MJ games we had in the past. I wish we could have may more. The kids love playing it now. We are here for you, give us a call went you can. Our thought are with you alway.

Love,

Tommy, June, Tim & Kenny

Myrna Branam

January 5, 2006

To all Victor's Family ...

I've not seen Victor for many, many years but that doesn't mean he's ever left my heart. My former husband, Stewart Branam, worked with Victor at Z's Shell from 1973 to 1981 and, as Dave Zimmerman said earlier, that meant they were family to one another.

How close and how important that Z's family was was illustrated at Stewart's funeral after he passed away October 26, 2004... As our six children stood and shared their memories and our family lore, there was Z's Shell woven throughout.

As the images ran through my mind, once again I was back at Z's watching "the guys" and their antics ... And there, right in the midst of everything is Victor, wearing his white Z's shirt and brown pants, and flashing his ever-present smile.

I cried then at those memories and I cried again as I read Dave's e-mail telling me of Victor's passing... He was truly a very special person and I feel blessed to have shared a part of his time on earth.

You will all be in my prayers.

marcelina enrile

January 5, 2006

Dearest Diane

My heart aches for you and your family. I never met your husband but as if I knew him from all the wonderful stories you shared with me. I remember all about the fun family outings you did together. I always looked forward to your new adventures with him whether it be dining, the movies or a weekend trip. I specially enjoyed your stories about your lovely time in Yosemite.

I hold you and Monica close to my heart in prayers.

My deepest sympathy to the Lee and Ma Family.

Sincerely Yours,

Marcelina Enrile

Dave Zimmerman

January 4, 2006

I started Z's Shell at Fell and Stanyan Sts. in 1968. Approximately 4 years later Victor came to work. I always considered Victor to be a key employee. I was at the station until 1987 and had numerous employees, but if I had to count my key employees I could do it on one hand, even if that hand had only three fingers.

Victor started out pumping gas, and turned out to be a first rate mechanic. Unlike most other mechanics who thought themselves to be primadonnas, Victor always remained Victor. He never swore, yelled, griped, or complained. He was the most punctual employee I ever had. He was clean, neat, and extremely efficient. He asked for one day off in about 15 years to attend his father's funeral. The customers and fellow employees loved Vic. My sister would come in for gas and Victor would wait on her. She always called me that evening to tell me what a nice guy he was.

The crew never went out to lunch, although they could if they wanted to. I would purchase lunch and the crew would sit in the showroom and eat together. We were like family.

Although the station was to be demolished in 1988, Victor never left to get a better position, although all the other station owners wanted to steal Victor from me. I was blessed to have such loyalty from Victor. I have thought about him many times since 1987, and I shall continue to have fond memories of such a gentle soul with such a wonderful smile.

Shannon Baker

January 4, 2006

Your family is in my prayers.

Juliet Esperanza

January 4, 2006

Dearest Diane and family,

I was saddened to hear of your loss and want you to know that my prayers have been with especially you and your daughter.

Take care.

Fondly,

Juliet

Brian Dobbs

January 4, 2006

Diane

Sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Brian

John & Rosi Arnaudo

January 4, 2006

Thank you, Victor, for your warmth, friendship, and wonderful sense of humor. You will be missed by all of your neighbors on 38th Avenue.

Fay Tong

January 3, 2006

I am also very sorry to hear of Victor's passing away. My sympathies to his

family! He was always a happy and funny

guy - who made people feel at ease. It

was because of him that I rode my first

Tahoe ride. He egged me on with, "Look if

I can do it - you can too!" He ALWAYS

made us laugh whenever he removed his

ski boots. "What?## What smell?" He

will truly be missed! It is like they say: the good die young. It is sad to see him go! Fay

Warren Lee

January 3, 2006

I haven't seen Vic in years but I ,too remember him as a truly nice guy.

I knew Victor through his older brother Vincent who is a close friend of my brother. We lost touch through the years but now I wished I had one last time to say Hello.

My sincerest sympathies to his family.

Warren Lee

Kelly woo

January 3, 2006

To the Lee Family

sorry to hear of victors passing. it has been many years when I last spoked to him. used to drop by the Shell station while patrolling the parks, we just B S with each other until we both had to get back to work. This was just another part of his life story.

Satomi Nishime

January 3, 2006

I am so saddened to hear about Victor's passing. Too soon, too young. I would like to send my deepest condolences to the Lee family and to my beloved friend Diane and beautiful Monica. My wonderful memory of Victor is that he was such a joyful, happy person. It was very contagious. I only had the opportunity to meet him twice but, immediately when I met him for the first time, I liked him immensely, it was as if I had known him all my life. He had a wonderful way of making everyone feel comfortable. Mostly, I was so grateful that he had come into Diane's life. And, I was grateful that they had found each other. Two beautiful people, who deserved each other. The happiness in Diane's face at her wedding is forever ingrained in my mind. I pray that there will come a day soon, when she can smile again. I know that Victor will be grately missed by everyone.

Lillian Hom

January 2, 2006

To the Lee and Ma Family,

I am deeply sadden by the passing of Victor. I am fortunate that I was privilege to have Vic as a friend since high school. Vic and I spent many years, hanging out, playing volleyball, tennis and tinkering with cars. The one thing that I remember about Vic is that he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He always saw "good" in people or their positive side. Vic loved life, family and friends.

Vic, you may be gone from this earth, but your presence and laughter have left an imprint that will last forever in our hearts. You are a good man and we will miss you immensely.

I'm sorry I will not be at the memorial service as I will be out of the country, but I will be there in spirit and will remember all the good times we had.

bob lai

January 1, 2006

Just a rider that went around the lake with Vic and a Muni friend

Will miss him a lot

Gary Naganuma

December 31, 2005

It was a great shock to learn of 'Big Vic' passing. He was a genuine friend to those who were lucky enough to know him. Though it has been a few years since hanging out with him, memories of times with him are good ones.

You are our "Pope" and "Village". Your sense of humor and eagerness to extend a helping hand or ear is missed by all who came to know and love you

Paul Ma

December 30, 2005

Victor Lee Biography
February 17, 1952 – December 16, 2005

Victor Lee, son of Toy and Lai Seung Lee was born in San Francisco. He was Number 3 of 6 children. His family includes 4 brothers and 1 sister: Vincent and wife Suzy, Henry and wife May, Jerry and wife Gloria, Bonnie and longtime companion Richard, and lastly, Kevin. Victor grew up in the Western Addition around Eddy and O’Farrell Streets. He attended Raphael Weill Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Junior High School, Washington High School, City College of SF and SF State University.

While attending college, he started his auto mechanic career at the Zee Shell service station located on Fell & Stanyan Street Their, he befriended many people and gained a reputation for honesty and expertise. He quickly became a master mechanic, and he devoted 16 years of service to the City of San Francisco in the municipal transportation agency.

An avid bicyclist, Victor joined the Asian Wheelman in 18 annual Lake Tahoe road races. Each race required the completion of 72 arduous miles over hilly terrain around the lake. Victor, also, treasured his time with a team of master volleyball players called “The Boys,”Victor helped the team to win 2 division titles.

Victor met his wife Diane through a mutual friend May Chin on April 17, 1991. They were married on September 24, 1994 at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church in Diamond Heights. Their only child, Monica, was born at California Pacific Medical Center on September 24, 1997.

Victor loved being an uncle. He frequently volunteered to babysit and spent many hours playing and instilling values into his 15 nieces and nephews:
Charisse, Michael, Mark, Melissa, Bryce, Jocie, Kelsey, Kevin, Jeffrey, Darren, Gracie, Sean, Robert, Kelly and Christie.

He enjoyed good food and could tell you where to get the best burrito, the best prime rib, or the best apple pie.

Victor had a special way of putting you at ease with his big smile and gregarious personality. His sense of humor and eagerness to extend a helping hand or ear will be greatly missed by all who came to know and love him.

Regan Young

December 30, 2005

To the Lee Family, I send my sincere condolences. Although I have not seen Victor for years, I will always consider him a great friend. He was "my twin"; people would say to me, "Hey, I didn't know you owned "a bike", was that you I saw you riding down Geary St. last week", and I'd have to tell them, "no", I don't own one, but I always knew who they saw, it was Victor! We were always the same, two "big and ugly Chinese dudes". Growing up playing ball at Lafayette Park or Morning Star with the Lee brothers, the Toyooka brothers and all the other guys in neighborhood will always be fond memories for me.

Monica, you don't know me but please know in my memories, your Dad will always be a great guy and a great friend, and I will miss him dearly. You and your Mom will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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