Nando "Yee" Yi

Nando “Yee” Yi, born on Saturday, March 14, 1953, a native of China and resident of Slidell since 1981, owner and operator of Yee Chinese Restaurant, Inc., peacefully passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024 – his 71st birthday.

Yee was born the youngest of four brothers to Rafael Yi and Oi Yi in the Canton province of China. At a young age, Yee and his family migrated from China to Barranquilla, Colombia in South America. He spent his childhood and teen years in Colombia, working on his family's farm and riding his pickup truck around town. In 1974, he immigrated to the U.S. and worked in New York City’s Chinatown as a cook. Eventually he joined his parents and brothers in Metairie, La. In 1979, he married Lucy Yi in New Orleans. In 1981, Yee and Lucy moved to Slidell and founded Yee Chinese Restaurant, Inc. on Pontchartrain Drive, which still operates today.

Over the years, Yee enjoyed fishing from the dock of their home in Eden Isles and taking his family and friends on sunny boat rides through the canals to Lake Pontchartrain. Yee loved cooking for his family for Sunday barbecues, playing poker with his friends, and visiting his neighbors.  Many of his days were spent at the restaurant, which became a staple of the community. Over the past 12 years, he proudly worked with his sons and taught them how to follow in his footsteps. Yee, Lucy, and their family enjoyed vacationing together around the world and revisiting their childhood in Colombia and China. He was fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, and English languages. One of Yee’s favorite roles in life was being “YehYeh” and “GungGung” to his four grandchildren, spending time in the backyard showing them all things about nature and his boats. Yee will always be remembered for his infectious laugh, booming voice, goofy jokes, and unique storytelling. He was a generous man full of life and charisma. He was very much beloved by the community and will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. 

Yee was preceded in death by his parents, Rafael Yi and Oi Yi, and his brothers, Thomas Yee and Michael Yee. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Yi; children, Kennard Yi (Jillian Gallego Yi), Kenwah Yi, Roxenne Yi Jacob (Gregory Jacob, Jr.); four grandchildren, Olivia Gallego Yi, Jolie Rae Jacob, Gregory Jacob III, Margot Lucille Jacob; his brother, David Yi; and his dog Ryu.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Services at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd West, Slidell 70460 on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:30 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00am with services at 11:30am.