Lee W. Pareseau

Lee Warren Pareseau,72, of Yarmouth Port died at his home on February 2, 2022 with his family by his side, after living the last few years with cancer. He was born in Hyannis, MA on October 6, 1949 to Marion (Crowell) and Warren Pareseau. Outside of living some years in Florida as a child, he was a proud lifelong Cape Codder.
He served two tours in Vietnam with the Marine Corps and was bestowed a Purple Heart. Wendy Jo (Anderson), sister of his friend Bruce, wrote him letters and sent homemade cookies while he was deployed. Lee and Wendy began dating when he returned stateside and married in August 1971. They celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.
Early in their marriage, Lee worked as a draftsman and in construction with his father-in-law. In 1975, he found his calling and his career in fire service commenced when he joined the Yarmouth Fire Department. For twenty-seven years he worked for Yarmouth and was Captain when he retired in 2002. He continued working construction on the side for many of those years. During his career as a firefighter, he was a member of the Dive Team and FEMA, was a Technical Rescue Specialist, and taught classes at the Barnstable County Fire and Rescue Training Academy. He became the Director of the Academy and worked there until 2014 when he fully retired. Lee's life was one dedicated to public service.
Intent on giving his children a better life than he had growing up, Lee made sacrifices to ensure they had plentiful opportunities. He was very involved in family life and loved being a father and grandfather. Despite working long shifts, he was always there for his wife and their three children: Ariane (1974), Kira (1978), and Damian (1980)- all of whom have vivid, happy memories of childhood.
Lee overcame a number of significant challenges in his life; one of which would have been a lot for anyone to conquer. But anyone who knows Lee, knows he is a fighter. He always persevered, supported others in their time of need, and served as an inspiration for so many.
He remained hopeful and grateful even in the darkest of times. After a grim cancer diagnosis, he beat the odds--repeatedly. The last four years were difficult, but he remained optimistic and retained his sense of humor. The family is deeply grateful for the kindness and support of his medical teams and Hospice.
A true Cape Codder, Lee's spirit was moved by the ocean. His love for his family was matched only by his love of the beach and boating. His children were practically raised on Chapin Beach and when they were older, he realized a lifelong dream of becoming a boat owner and getting his Captain's license. He operated Dress Blue Charters for a decade before returning exclusively to pleasure boating. The ocean was the backdrop to a life well-lived.
Lee enriched the lives of his family and friends in myriad ways, and he will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife Wendy; daughter Ariane Kjellquist (Asheville, NC) and husband Kris and their daughter Greta; daughter Kira Pareseau (Yarmouthport, MA) and partner Pete Santos; son Damian Pareseau (Yarmouthport, MA) and wife Jen and their children Brielle and Brett; sister Paula Phillips and husband Robert; step-father Paul Cox; and many other loving family members.
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He is preceded in death by his mother Marion (Crowell) Cox, father Warren Pareseau, brother-in-law Bruce Anderson, and in-laws Ernest and Marilyn Anderson.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at South Yarmouth United Methodist Church at 11am on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yarmouth Firefighter's and Relief Association or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.