Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
UPCOMING SERVICE
Haynes Lee Obituary
Haynes Lee
October 14, 1932 - October 29, 2025
Haynes Lee, patriarch of a loving family and a man of many talents and interests, died on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. He was 93.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Marge Lee; and his children, Sandi (Chip) Towns, Steve (Sandy) Lee, and Scott (Jeanie) Lee. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Tina (Brett) Ewing, Katie (David) Bunker, Bethanne (Patrick) McCarty, Austin Lee, Becky Towns and Trevor (Elissa) Lee; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one granddaughter and one great-grandson.
Haynes was a glass scientist, a boater, an avid bridge player, a tax preparer, and a community volunteer.
He died while walking down the hall to play bridge at Ohio Living Swan Creek, where he and Marge had lived since 2022.
Haynes Alexander Lee, Jr., was born October 14, 1932, in Johnson City, Tennessee. His parents, Haynes Alexander Lee and Pauline Elizabeth Cooke, divorced when he was about 4. Haynes lived with his mother until she died when he was 7. After that he was raised by his father.
These were tumultuous years, with Haynes having three stepmothers and changing schools frequently. He graduated from Bazine (Kansas) High School in 1950, then earned a degree in mathematics from Emory and Henry College in 1954. He served in the Army Security Agency in Germany from 1954-1957.
He decided to get a master's degree in glass technology at Alfred (NY) University. While standing in line to enroll, he noticed an attractive woman also waiting in line and started talking to her. He and Marge married a year later.
After graduating, he went to work for Thatcher Glass in Elmira, NY. In 1963, he moved to Toledo to work as a glass scientist at Owens-Illinois. He and Marge joined Epworth United Methodist Church, where Haynes spent many years serving on committees and in leadership positions.
Haynes and Marge became very involved in the boating community. Haynes served two terms as Commander of the Toledo Power Squadron. He also piloted a tour boat on Swan Creek, and for six years he operated the water taxi that shuttled people from downtown Toledo to the restaurants at The Docks.
He earned his pilot's license and flew the family to visit relatives in New York, Kansas, and elsewhere.
He was elected to the Sylvania School Board in 1978.
At Owens-Illinois, he became Chief Laser Scientist in the Consumer and Technical Products Group in 1970. He later became General Manager of Laser Products and General Manager of Optical Products. His group worked on glass used in ceramic stovetops, giant telescopes, and classified products for the U.S. government. He held eight patents on glass laser and luminescent compositions.
In 1981, Haynes resigned from O-I and became general manager of the Laser Institute of America, moving its offices to Sylvania. He served on – and was chairman of – the Area Council for Technology.
After leaving the Laser Institute in 1988, he earned his captain's license and delivered boats to and from Florida and around the Great Lakes, with Marge often serving as his first mate. In the winter, he prepared tax returns, which he enjoyed doing into his 90s. He devoted lots of time to the Western Lake Erie Historical Society.
He organized bridge games at the Sylvania Senior Center for many years. He also served as president of the center's participants council. In 2022, the senior center honored him by planting a tree in his honor.
In recent years, he played bridge at Swan Creek, the Maumee Senior Center and the Toledo Bridge Center.
And for the last few decades, he perfected a recipe for chocolate fudge, which his children looked forward to receiving each Christmas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Marge Lee STEM Scholarship at the University of Toledo. Checks can be made out to UT Foundation and mailed to Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43614.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., on Wednesday, November 12, at Coyle Funeral Home, with a Power Squadron ceremony and sharing of memories starting at 7 p.m.
Visitation will continue at 11 a.m., on Thursday, November 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church, with a memorial service beginning at 12 p.m. Interment will be private.
Please visit coylefuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view a video tribute.
www.coylefuneralhome.com
October 14, 1932 - October 29, 2025
Haynes Lee, patriarch of a loving family and a man of many talents and interests, died on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. He was 93.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Marge Lee; and his children, Sandi (Chip) Towns, Steve (Sandy) Lee, and Scott (Jeanie) Lee. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Tina (Brett) Ewing, Katie (David) Bunker, Bethanne (Patrick) McCarty, Austin Lee, Becky Towns and Trevor (Elissa) Lee; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by one granddaughter and one great-grandson.
Haynes was a glass scientist, a boater, an avid bridge player, a tax preparer, and a community volunteer.
He died while walking down the hall to play bridge at Ohio Living Swan Creek, where he and Marge had lived since 2022.
Haynes Alexander Lee, Jr., was born October 14, 1932, in Johnson City, Tennessee. His parents, Haynes Alexander Lee and Pauline Elizabeth Cooke, divorced when he was about 4. Haynes lived with his mother until she died when he was 7. After that he was raised by his father.
These were tumultuous years, with Haynes having three stepmothers and changing schools frequently. He graduated from Bazine (Kansas) High School in 1950, then earned a degree in mathematics from Emory and Henry College in 1954. He served in the Army Security Agency in Germany from 1954-1957.
He decided to get a master's degree in glass technology at Alfred (NY) University. While standing in line to enroll, he noticed an attractive woman also waiting in line and started talking to her. He and Marge married a year later.
After graduating, he went to work for Thatcher Glass in Elmira, NY. In 1963, he moved to Toledo to work as a glass scientist at Owens-Illinois. He and Marge joined Epworth United Methodist Church, where Haynes spent many years serving on committees and in leadership positions.
Haynes and Marge became very involved in the boating community. Haynes served two terms as Commander of the Toledo Power Squadron. He also piloted a tour boat on Swan Creek, and for six years he operated the water taxi that shuttled people from downtown Toledo to the restaurants at The Docks.
He earned his pilot's license and flew the family to visit relatives in New York, Kansas, and elsewhere.
He was elected to the Sylvania School Board in 1978.
At Owens-Illinois, he became Chief Laser Scientist in the Consumer and Technical Products Group in 1970. He later became General Manager of Laser Products and General Manager of Optical Products. His group worked on glass used in ceramic stovetops, giant telescopes, and classified products for the U.S. government. He held eight patents on glass laser and luminescent compositions.
In 1981, Haynes resigned from O-I and became general manager of the Laser Institute of America, moving its offices to Sylvania. He served on – and was chairman of – the Area Council for Technology.
After leaving the Laser Institute in 1988, he earned his captain's license and delivered boats to and from Florida and around the Great Lakes, with Marge often serving as his first mate. In the winter, he prepared tax returns, which he enjoyed doing into his 90s. He devoted lots of time to the Western Lake Erie Historical Society.
He organized bridge games at the Sylvania Senior Center for many years. He also served as president of the center's participants council. In 2022, the senior center honored him by planting a tree in his honor.
In recent years, he played bridge at Swan Creek, the Maumee Senior Center and the Toledo Bridge Center.
And for the last few decades, he perfected a recipe for chocolate fudge, which his children looked forward to receiving each Christmas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Marge Lee STEM Scholarship at the University of Toledo. Checks can be made out to UT Foundation and mailed to Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH 43614.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., on Wednesday, November 12, at Coyle Funeral Home, with a Power Squadron ceremony and sharing of memories starting at 7 p.m.
Visitation will continue at 11 a.m., on Thursday, November 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church, with a memorial service beginning at 12 p.m. Interment will be private.
Please visit coylefuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view a video tribute.
www.coylefuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Blade on Nov. 9, 2025.
Memorial Events
for Haynes Lee
Funeral services provided by:
Coyle Funeral and Cremation Services - Toledo1770 S Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614
Memories and Condolences
for Haynes Lee
Sponsored by Coyle Funeral and Cremation Services - Toledo.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Haynes Lee's name
How to support Haynes's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Haynes Lee's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
