THOMAS FRANCIS LEE Sr.

1932 - 2021

LEE, Thomas Francis Sr. Died peacefully on February 21, 2021 at his home in Centerville, MA with his family at his side.

Tom will be remembered as an Irish tenor who needed no excuse to break into song, a quick wit, and a consummate storyteller.

Born May 21, 1932 in South Boston, MA to Michael and Delia "Bridgie" Lee of County Galway, Ireland, Tom attended Gate of Heaven school and served as an altar boy in the parish church - experiences that became the stuff of legends told and retold throughout his life.

Another story, this one a romance, began in 1949 at Schole's Riverview, where Tom met Cecilia, the love of his life. Little did they know when they took their first turn around the roller-skating rink, that they would marry and spend more than seventy years together.

Tom proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard LST 515 visiting ports around the world. Upon returning to civilian life, he went to work at the Boston Edison Company. Later, the family settled in Brockton, MA, where they raised three children.

With the help of the G.I. Bill, Tom attended college, eventually earning his Master's degree at Boston State College. This launched a second career as a schoolteacher in the Brockton Public Schools.

Tom and Helen retired to their beloved cottage on Cape Cod and enjoyed a seasonal residence in Naples, FL - never far from the beach and a boat.

Tom is survived by his three children: Mary Anne Lee of Spencertown, NY, Denise Holzman of Marstons Mills, MA, and Thomas Lee, Jr. of Bloomfield, CT, his son-in-law Paul Shipman of Bloomfield, CT, and grandchildren Jennifer Lee Holzman of Tampa, FL, and Andrew Lee Holzman of Honolulu, HI. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Cecilia Helen (Doherty) Lee, and cherished son-in-law William Holzman, as well as his brother John Lee, Avon, MA, and his sister Mary (Lee) Kupstis, South Boston. Tom is also mourned by his many brothers and sisters-in-law and more than fifty beloved nieces, nephews, and their children.

Funeral Services with the immediate family were held on February 23, 2021. A Celebration of Tom's Life with stories and song is planned when we can again safely gather with family and friends.

For online condolences, please visit www.johnlawrencefuneralhome.com