Yong Lee
Yong Man Lee, age 78, having lived a full and fruitful life, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on March 2nd, 2023.
He was born on April 30th, 1944, in Daegu, South Korea and was the youngest of five. At an early age, he excelled at martial arts winning the National Middleweight Judo Championship in 1963. After graduating from the Korean Judo College in 1965, he was appointed Judo and Self-Defense Instructor at the Korean C.I.C., the Intelligence Service of the Korean Special Army. He later became a Judo and Tae Kwon Do instructor at the 8th U.S. Army Headquarters in Korea. Following his appointment as Chief Judo Instructor at the Seoul Central YMCA, he traveled to El Salvador and Guatemala, where he demonstrated Judo and Karate theory and application, and presented an Honorary Black Belt to the President of El Salvador. He later rose to the ranks of Grand Master earning his 9th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, and an 8th Degree Black Belt in both Judo and Hapkido.
While working at Seoul Central YMCA, he met his wife of 36 years, Bong Ja Kim. He and "BJ" embarked on the American dream, moving to the US to start a business opening Lee's School of Judo, Karate and Hapkido in Darien, Connecticut in 1975. They soon settled in Wilton where they raised two sons, Bruce and Scott Lee. He resided in Wilton for 40 years and taught at his school up until his health allowed him for 36 years.
Grand Master Lee will be remembered by thousands of his students for his profound wisdom and life changing impact. His school continues to be run by his devoted students.
His loved ones will never forget his gentleness, deep compassion, and devotion to family.
He leaves behind his two sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Cynthia Lee, Scott and Wendy Lee along with four grandchildren, Samantha, Tyson, Dylan and Abigail, all of whom reside in Wilton, Connecticut.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside, CT at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 10th, 2023, in honor of Master Lee. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Wilton Bulletin & The Hour & Darien Times on Mar. 7, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Yong Lee

Sponsored by Hoyt Funeral Home & Cremation Service - New Canaan.

4 Entries

Austin Drukker

March 9, 2023

Grandmaster Lee was my first instructor instilled in me my lifelong passion for the Martial Arts starting in 1979. He was patient and kind and expected the best from all of his students. He will be missed. Kamsahamnida - /

Steve Schuman

March 7, 2023

Grand Master Lee was not only a mentor but also a dear friend and an inspiration.
Over the years, I had the privilege of learning from him and watching him tirelessly dedicate his life to the art of karate. He was an incredible teacher who always pushed his students to their limits and never allowed them to settle for less than their best.

One of the things that I admired most about him was his commitment to excellence. He taught "old school" Tang Soo Do meaning that testing every 3 months was not commonplace as
he required his students to master every element of their current belt level before testing for the next one; it had to be earned even having to learn the language. Master Lee failed me on my first Black Belt test because I only broke 2 of 3 board combinations. He told me that I lacked the proper concentration. There aren´t enough words to thank him for teaching me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, and for that, I will be forever grateful. In fact, at Lee´s School, when one tests for Black Belt they have to write an essay on what it means to them. I wrote that with
the exception of my wife and children, achieving this distinction is the single biggest accomplishment in my life. That still stands today !

With arms of steel and a wit to match, he was a force to be reckoned with. After being knocked down from a punch, I once asked Master Lee if there was a proper way of getting up to which he replied: "I
don´t know, I´ve never been knocked down".

Master Lee, your legacy will continue to live on through the countless students that you have inspired over the years.
Rest in peace, Master Lee. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for the world of Tang Soo Do, you will be deeply
missed.

Kam Sah Ham Ni Da

Ken Lametta

March 7, 2023

RIP Mr Lee,
Thank you for all you taught me inclusive of intense discipline. You were way ahead of your time. Thank you also for all the respect you showed for my dad.
Ken Lametta

Linda Ann Biancardi

March 7, 2023

I attended Master Lee´s school in Darien from my late teens and through my college years. He taught me to always have confidence and courage. I will never forget those life-changing years. There will never be another Master Lee.

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