Lee Parsons Obituary

Lee R. Parsons

February 4, 1945 - April 5, 2016

Our beloved friend, Lee Parsons, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2016. He grew up in Alameda, and served his country in the Navy aboard the USS Walke. After he finished his military service, he worked at Gorilla Records in North Beach with his brother Ralph, satisfying his deep love for music. He then worked for over 20 years as a retail manager at the legendary North Beach Leather in Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. He then worked at Gene Hiller in Sausalito. He lived in Mill Valley for many years, then settled in Petaluma.
Lee enjoyed playing golf, and he loved fishing the California coastline and San Francisco Bay. He was loved by everybody he met—a boon companion, having special relationships with each of his friends. Lee touched many of us from all walks of life, and he will be dearly missed. He will live in our hearts forever. Please consider a donation in Lee's memory to the Petaluma Animal Services Foundation.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 31 to Jun. 5, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee Parsons

8 Entries

Kelly Smith

April 16, 2020

Short and simple ...
Unconditional.
Generous .
Amazing sense of humor.
Gentle giant.
Will always be missed.

Mark Brecke

March 31, 2020

When I moved to San Francisco in 1988, my Uncle ( who lived in the City from 67 to 72) Said to me "I still have one friend I have been in contact with from my days in San Francisco, his name is Lee Parsons, and now works at North Beach Leather on Pier 39, look him up if you get a chance he is a local and could help you out if you need".

I was under 20 at the time and had my car full of my belongings staying in GGPark sleeping in my car until I found a place to live in. After I moved in to my new flat I explored the city and decided to go down to Pier 39 North Beach Leather store and look up Lee. Sure enough, he was there, and I walked into the store and said "is there a Lee Parson working here"? 'That would be me he said" My name is Mark ****I don't know you but I know a **** with the same last name' "I said that wold be my uncle" Lee said "welcome" we talked some and he asked how my uncle was doing, and then Lee said, "Lets call him" so we did and it was amazing to hear those two talk and tell old stories. That was the only time I met Lee, though I never forgot that moment, he was so kind with his time and everything my Uncle told me he was. RIP and sorry I never return though thought about it from time to time. The reason I am writing this memory is because my Uncle died in October of 2019, and Lee came to mind if there was one person to notify in the Bay Area it would have been Lee, looking up his wearabouts I came across this obituary.

Cydne Pieri

April 1, 2017

My HERO!

Karen Seidel

March 28, 2017

Lee was a breath of really fresh and funny air. I would visit him every time i went to petaluma and we would just hang and talk and laugh. I really miss him.

Rachel Levine

February 4, 2017

I'll miss you Lee, but I know you are with Terry now and for that I'm happy. As you always said, " You're alive, you're alive , you're dead." Everyone dies suddenly.

Love you,
Rock Star Rachel

steven doughty

July 14, 2016

lee i love you ,and will miss you and it would be my guess that the other two muskateers are now three again.peace be with you. we were the light in alot of peoples lives..it was a honor to have spent time with you

brian drew

June 5, 2016

you always were the light in the room,...........

June 5, 2016

I had the pleasure of living with Lee when I first arrived in San Francisco. My apt. plans that I had fell thru and I had no where to live unexpectedly. I had just driven across the country from Chicago, pulled up in front of the cannery store with my car packed along with my 2 cats. I walked into the store and only had talked with the Cannery crew from Chicago but, that didn't stop Lee from making me feel right at home. That day when I found out that my apt. vanished in the wind, Lee came over to me and said don't worry I have space in my home, come live with Terri and me. It didn't matter about mt cats, he said bring them I have cats also.Lee was always the generous one with a heart as wide as the grand canyon and a smile and laugh that you could always count on. I finally did get my own space but, Lee helped me thru one of the hardest times and because of him and others that I met at the Cannery store, my time in San Francisco will always remain close to my heart and will always bring a smile to my face.....Thanks Lee..
Gone but never forgotten..........

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results