LEO JOSEPH "LEE" AURINI

LEO "LEE" JOSEPH AURINI Lee passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the Carpenter Hospice. The Aurini family is mourning the loss of Leo "Lee", a man with a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious smile, at the age of 77 years. He is survived by Barbara (Harwood), his wife of 59 years. Loving father of Lynda (Rick) Saunders, Edmonton; Michael (Wanda), Houston; Lori (Maurice) O'Gorman, Los Angeles; Mark (Philomena), Halifax; and Chris (Julia), Port Credit. Dear grandfather of Kendall, Mitchell, Davis, Teryn, Tristan, Talis, Wanda, Nicholas, Trevor, Jessica, Charlotte, Joseph, Margaret and Claire and great-grandfather of Kayal, Oliver, Mary Jane, Amelia and Wesley. Lee was predeceased by his sister Barbara and is survived by his brother Terry and his brother and sister-in-law William and Muriel Harwood. Lee obtained his BA from McMaster University and MScEd from Niagara University, Lewiston, NY. He continued his association with McMaster University through his service as President of the Alumni Association for three terms and as a member of the McMaster University Senate for two years. Lee had a long career in Education from his first teaching post at Southmount Secondary School, his activities with the Hamilton Board of Education and the Ontario Ministry of Education through to his retirement as Principal of Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School in Hamilton. Retirement did not last long as Lee soon found a position as Assistant Dean at the Faculty of Education in the Sultanate of Oman. He returned to Canada to work with a Private International College as Principal, recruiting students from all over Asia. An adventurous spirit led to a position with the CIDA and a two-year posting to Cornwall College in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with Barbara and their five children. His love of travel continued throughout his many years as a tour escort with Horizon Holidays and Fiesta Holidays. Sports were an integral part of Lee's life from his football-playing days at Delta Secondary School through to coaching at the high school level in Hamilton and with Burlington Minor Football. In Jamaica, he was a member of the Montego Bay Rugby Club and Montego Bay Racquet Club. After hanging up his cleats, he enjoyed training for and completing the Hamilton Marathon. In retirement, he volunteered as a spinning instructor at the Burlington YMCA. Many thanks to Father Ed, Elizabeth Dougherty and the staff at Carpenter Hospice for their kindness and care. A special thanks to Heinrich, Kelly and Williams families, the Southmount Poker Group and the "Coffee Guys," as well as friends, colleagues and neighbours for all their love and support. If desired, donations to Carpenter Hospice or the Salvation Army would be appreciated by the family. Cremation has taken place. On Monday, April 6, 2015, Lee's ashes will be interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington, at 1:30 p.m., friends and family are welcome to meet at the Funeral Home at 1:15 p.m. to travel in procession. A Celebration of Lee's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 1010 Botanical Drive, Burlington (905-527-0405).