Michael C. Lee, 58 years old, aka "Mr. Lee," fka "Mighty Mike," native San Franciscan passed away suddenly on 5/29/17. Passionate 3rd grade teacher for 27 years with SFUSD at Rooftop, Marcus Garvey, John Muir & Lakeshore Alternative schools. Avid actor in training; naturalist; cook; eclectic animal collector; master-hoarder of all things; survived by his immediate family his loving wife Cindie Awakuni-Lee, 3 Boston terriers, Mom, Jennie Mae Lee, Mitchell & Donna Lee, Michelle & Greg Lee-Chin, 5 nephews & 2 nieces, and grand niece; countless students benefited by "Mr. Lee's" education experience.
Cremation viewing is private. A Celebration of Life party is planned for the future. Please email [email protected] for more details.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 2 to Jun. 5, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Lee

Sponsored by Frank Lum & Sharon Wong.

21 Entries

Rod & Gale Glover

January 7, 2025

I´m so sorry Cindie that we lost touch. Over the years we have looked for news of you and Mike. Sadly, we found him too late to share how much he meant to each of us. I hope you´ll reach out and let us know when you read this. All our love. Rod & Gale Glover

Linda

May 22, 2020

Me Lee was my 3rd grade teacher while I attended John Muir. Im now 36 yrs old and he has always been on my mind and heart. Its taken me a long time to find and track him down over the years, and have finally found him through this but I am too late. I wanted to tell him thank you. Thank you for being such a wonderful and caring teacher. I will never forget when Mr Lee dropped off some books to read on grief when my father passed away. I remember his classes were always fun and til this day, I cant wait to share the same activities with my own children. Thank you Mr Lee, and I wish you a wonderful loving afterlife.

Michael McCauslin

August 17, 2017

I remember meeting Mike one summer when we were both teaching at SummerGate. He was interested in a change of scenery and asked me probing questions day after day about the idea of moving from Rooftop to Lakeshore where I worked. I must have been encouraging enough for his taste, because soon he was my colleague, where for one shining year, with Mr. Rich as well, we were the all-male fourth grade team (as far as I know it was the only time at Lakeshore all the teachers at one grade level were men). Soon, though, Mike got to move down to his favorite, 3rd grade, and I somehow got to become his personal tech support guy. Amazing the number of times I would hurry to his room after school to tackle a tech emergency only to discover a device was unplugged or its cable had come unattached. Mr. Lee was far more comfortable with his menagerie of class pets than the technology that came to share the classroom. But he saw the value in both and worked hard to master all he could. I'm glad that Mike is free from the health problems that made his last years painful and difficult. He is missed.

Louise Fong

July 8, 2017

Very shocked to read about Mike's passing. Mike worked for me when he was in his mid 20's at my bakery, Weezys. It was a very close knit group and I was fortunate having such a great group working for me. Mike, very early, proved himself a leader, funny, charismatic, highly intelligent. Years later I bumped into him when my kid attended summer school. I'm very sad to hear such a bright star has left this world. He would always be fondly remembered.

July 1, 2017

So sorry to hear of Michael's death. He moved into my Lakeshore classroom when I retired in 2002. As he brought his zoo in, I knew that my beloved classroom would be in good hands. Through the years, our paths have crossed, and my admiration grew for a man who worked so hard to stay well enough to teach.

No more pain, no more struggles. Welcome to your Heavenly Home, Michael. I'm glad we met.

Ellen Champlin

ellie nguyen

June 29, 2017

Goodbye Mr Lee. So sad to see this now, Mr Lee is a kind, loving, caring teacher. He has passion with all topics that he teaches his students. Love and Respect from Ella and Ellie family. 3rd grade year 2015.

JK Yamamoto

June 25, 2017

Goodbye, Mike. It was nice knowing you. Deepest condolences to Jennie and Cindie. - JK (Formerly of Apt 3)

JudyToupin

June 9, 2017

He planted many seeds of kindness, caring & compassion in those he taught & worked with. RIP Mike & say hi to Jimi & the boys!

Victor Yan

June 8, 2017

A Noble teacher was he.

He saw life as a gift, a womb
unfold in school days.
In his enclave,
animals and students
Interact in a caring way
Love was given and
reciprocated.

That seeds of love,
the flower of peace
Students led the way
We often pray. Before
Students became leaders,
Our kings and queens,
there was a Michael
Who loves gave love
Never tiring, He
Never ever stray.

I was there once.
He face remains
Fresh and clear,
always a champion,
Always the teacher,
in all my days.

June 8, 2017

I'm saddened to hear about Mr. Lee's death. He was such a beloved figure in the Rooftop community and a strong mentor to both students and parents. Both my children, now 25 and 21, share many fond memories of Mr. Lee. We feel blessed that he was part of our lives.

Bev Maeda

Irene Fong

June 8, 2017

So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. We shared a passion for critters and lots of stories of the various creatures we both brought into our classrooms for our students. He was deeply loved by his students and will be missed.

Herman, Joyce, Kristina, Nick, and Tim Woo

June 6, 2017

We are so sad to hear of Mike's passing. "Mr.Lee" showed his students what it means to embrace life and live it with joy and passion. We have so many happy memories of my daughter, Kristina's, time in his 3rd grade class at Rooftop. His managerie of animals from floor to ceiling, the Sock Hops, Beatles' and Motown music at lunch could always be found in his room, and because of that, his students loved coming to school. I credit Mike with setting my daughter on her course in the Science field, and now she's a physical therapist! We will miss you, Mr.Lee! Love you forever!

Greg Chin

June 6, 2017

Mike was a good person and loving husband. His passion for teaching will be missed by all of his students. RIP my friend. You are pain free and together with dad again. ❤

Susan Nelson

June 5, 2017

Our deepest condolences to Mr. Lee's family. We spent 11 years at Rooftop and Mr. Lee was such a warm spirit.
Susan, Brittany and Nicole Nelson

Mike loved the Giants and I'm so grateful that he took me to my first game

Gloria Chen

June 5, 2017

I am truly heartbroken to hear about my greatest mentor and friend, Michel, "Mr. Lee" passing. You were the one who inspired me to be a teacher. You taught me to be bold and gave me a chance. I was a scared high schooler sitting in the office when you came in and invited me to be your student ta. From then we developed a great friendship. I will always remember our trips to Gordo's, dim sum lunches, thrifting at community thrift, and Giants games. You made me the teacher I am today. You are so kind and generous. I will never forget everything you did for me and I will miss you greatly.

One of many memorable field trips he did in one school year

Maria Goodavage

June 4, 2017

We are so sad and shocked to learn of Mr. Lee's passing! He was the first teacher our daughter had at Lakeshore back in 2005, and what a great year it was in his classroom full of animals, Beatles dance tunes, and unforgettable life lessons. And the field trips!! We speak of him often when we talk about great teachers. Laura will never forget him, or the first day of school, when he fed a live mouse to one of the snakes! He got even the shyest kids (Laura at the time) out of their comfort zone and into public speaking, having all his students team up and go around to older classes doing a presentation on one of the animals in his classroom. Laura did it with a fun girl named Alina, and still remembers the title: "Millipedes are Awesome." :D

Mr. Lee, also an actor/extra, packed a lot of living into his 58 years. Cindie, you were the love of his life. We hope to see you at the celebration of his life.

Gillian and Chris North

June 4, 2017

Mr. Lee or "The Dude" and I was Larry. I am forever honored to have been a student teacher and volunteer in your 3rd grade room 105. You completely inspired me to become the best teacher I could be. We laughed over crazy kids and I always beat you in oldies music quizzes that played on the radio. I will always remember our dim sum lunches and laughs just millions of laughs which I have never forgotten. I am really beyond blessed to have met you and became a friend for life with you. Chris and I loved that Cindie and you came to our wedding and we were excited to show you guys our first daughter Grace. We love you man, What an amazing person, teacher, husband and friend you were. Chris and I will forever miss you! Love you man

M Fukuda

June 4, 2017

This is devastating. My thoughts and prayers go out to Cindie and family for this heartfelt loss. Michael was an amazing camp counselor, teacher, mentor, friend/extended family. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life- for all that you shared and taught-your encouragement and patience. Above all-for all of the laughs. You will forever be in our hearts and missed.

Kristin graduating from paramedic academy

Michael Nordberg

June 3, 2017

So sad. He was my daughter Kristin's third grade teacher. She absolutely loved his class. So sorry to hear of his passing at such a young age.

Michael Nordberg

Mary Guerra

June 3, 2017

Oh, the beloved Mr. Lee! 3rd grade was so special for Katherine and our whole family. Dance parties, chinchillas, a birthday present in a bag which moved because it had a parakeet in it...What a gift to the students and families of SFUSD. Thank you for your passionate teaching ability as you honored and inspired children as well as their parents.
Our heartfelt sympathies to you Cindie and all the family.

The Guerra Family
Mary and Paul, Maggie, Katherine and Gabby

Frank & Sharon Lum

June 1, 2017

Our deepest sympathy to you in this difficult time. R.I.P.

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