Robert G. Lee
May 24th, 2020
Robert G. Lee, 91, of West Vancouver, passed away peacefully at Lions Gate Hospital on May 24, 2020
Robert is lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Gladys, three children, Darren, Rodney and Andrea, three grandchildren, Lukas, Savannah and Arya, siblings Ronald (Shirley), Maizie (Henry) and Eunice (Richard), as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, great grand-nephew and great grand-nieces. Predeceased by his parents Lee Fong Lang (mother) and Lee Ying Yuey (father) and siblings Louis (Agnes), John, Paul (Marion), Isabel (George), Ivan and Edward.
Robert, born 1928 in Montreal, was involved extensively in the restaurant business, starting with Palm Grove Restaurant (owned by brothers Louis and John) in Ottawa. In Montreal, he worked at the famous Ruby Foo’s Chinese Restaurant and was also the owner-operator of Lee’s Hot Shoppe and Nanking Café (with brother Paul). In 1972, he moved his family to Vancouver, becoming proud owner of Hennessy’s Fine Chinese Food Restaurant, initially at 24th and Marine Dr. in West Vancouver, later at Park Royal Shopping Centre and currently at his newest location in heaven where he is surely cooking up a storm! He also had worked previously at Dagenais Tailors in Montreal and after leaving the restaurant business in Vancouver, at Eaton’s menswear and Dunn’s Tailors until his retirement.
He loved hockey (and sports in general), dancing, bowling, going on cruises and mastering every crossword puzzle that came his way, as well as playing with his grandchildren.
He will fondly be remembered for his kindness, determination, sense of humour, upstaging Brad Pitt and others in his countless appearances in various TV shows, movies and commercials, and of course his amazing culinary skills. In addition, Robert had a wonderful sense of fashion and was always the sharpest dressed man at any event!
He will be greatly missed by his many family members and friends. A Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the numerous healthcare professionals who helped care for Robert over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation or the West Vancouver Seniors Centre. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family at www.myalternatives.ca
To paraphrase his favourite singer Frank Sinatra:
“You've lived a life that's full
You traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
You did it your way”
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
Dear Gladys: Hans and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to you on Robert's passing. We feel the many emotions you must be experiencing: the sense of loss, the rich and varied memories, and yet the relief that his physical suffering has ended. We were so happy to have met Robert and have had him in our lives, as a friend over many years. We met Robert in the early days in Montreal, and our friendship extended to Vancouver when both our families moved there.. As West Vancouverites we would see Robert (and Gladys) in Park Royal, at the Senior Community Centre and it was then we'd have a chance to catch up on each other's news. Hans and I remember well his contagious laugh, and warm heartedness. We remember him as a strong family man, as a creative individual, flexible, able to express himself through many different avenues. He was a Master in the restaurant business, a gifted individual in the clothing business (with an eye for style), and he expressed himself so well in the acting field. He also had a great passion for sports - especially hockey. Robert was an "all round guy", a contributor and he lived a good life. Hans remembers Robert as a "good guy", warm, genuine, kind, happy, interesting and very much a family man. He will be missed by his family and by all those who knew him. We ask you extend our warmest wishes to all your children, and to Robert's siblings whom we remember with great fondness. With heartfelt wishes for your well-being, and on-going, and all our love. Blessings, Coco and Hans
Dear Gladys, Andrea and family Thinking about you at this sad time. A life well lived and a man well loved—that's your wonderful husband, father, grandfather, . . . . Robert was so interwoven into the fabric of our community. He will certainly be missed by you and his many friends, and even those who never knew him personally but were touched in a positive way by his presence. May your cherished memories help soften the loss of this special man. Love and blessings, Jill
So very sorry for your great loss. Uncle Robert was such a great man. Our sincere condolences to the family. Thinking of you all during this time. The Young Family
To Mrs. Lee and the Lee Family I would like to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to Mrs. Lee and the Lee Family. My family holds fond memories of Mr. Lee. He was truly a gentleman and will no doubt be missed by all who knew him. May Mr. Lee Rest In Peace. With Love, Alfredo Verdicchio and Family.
Dear Gladys, Bob and you gave me my first job at Hennesey's over 40 years ago. It was fun working with Darren and Jamie and their antics! Bob was very kind and it was always lovely running into him at Eatons and Dunn's in the years following. He was a wonderful gentleman and will be fondly remembered. My sincere condolences Gladys, Darren, Rodney, Andrea and family.
Hello Gladys and family. Very sorry to hear of Roberts passing. We did Tai Chi sword practice together at the West Van seniors centre. I remember his calm manner and easy laugh. Great guy. I will miss him. Brad
Hello Gladys,Andrea,Darren,Rodney, i was saddened to read about Roberts passing in the N.S.News. I have never forgotten the joy he brought to S.V. Park Royal on your family shopping days. He was a man who was always smilling and never in a bad mood. He was the person you wanted to see on a bad day. The world needs more people like R.L. he lived a long life because he deserved to. Thinking about you all. XO your old S.V. butcher friend Brian
Gladys, though I have known you for many years, I never met your husband but you did tell me of his "movie career". I am sure he must have been a great person and I am sorry to hear he has passed away. Doreen Marlor
You may remember me as GoGo. Please accept my deepest sympathies to all the family. I am so sorry for your loss. My parent, Winnie and Wilson were very close friends of the Lee family.
Our Heart felt sympathy to you all on such a Loss. Bob and Gladys were such nice people and we knew them from our Super Valu 140 Days . We are grateful to have met Bob and Gladys in our lives and hope that some day in another place we can share a Hug and a laugh. Gladys remember all of the wonderful memories that you and Bob shared they will help you and your family though the sad times . RIP BOB. You will be missed but not forgotten.
Bob and Gladys were always first up on the dance floor when the Dal Richards Orchestra started to play....and even when he wasn't up to dancing Bob was always in the front row to enjoy the music. Dal was always delighted to see Bob and Gladys in the audience...and the band knew that there were likely photos from Gladys to enjoy after the show. Dal and I spent a wonderful evening with Bob and Gladys a few years ago (I think it was an anniversary) and got to meet the kids and grandkids; the love and fun they shared as a family was very evident. I'm sure the memories of your years together will bring you peace and joy, Gladys. Sending you a big hug.....Muriel Honey-Richards
Merv and I were saddened to read of Bob’s passing May 24th. Our thoughts are with you Gladys, and with the family, as you grieve his loss. His life will be remembered endlessly. He was a cheerful presence in this complex and he will be missed by all.
Dear Gladys, Thinking of you and your family at this very sad time and send sympathy, prayers and love. MaryPat
My father Tom Jarvis Sr. ... was a long time friend of Bob's going back to their Montreal days. After Bob moved to Vancouver my father would look Bob up every time he traveled to Vancouver to visit me in Whistler where I lived for 29 years. I remember when ever the Montreal Canadiens hockey team came to Vancouver , the whole team made a special effort to dine at Bob's West Vancouver restaurant before a game with the Canucks. I kept in touch with Bob off and on after my father passed. Rest in peace Bob, you were a real gentleman and friend . Tom Jarvis Jr.
Dear Lee family, You were our first good neighbors at Edgemont. Robert was always so cheerful and kind and will be much missed by all who knew him. We send our deepest sympathy to you all in this difficult time. Very best regards, Anne & Ron
My sincere condolences to Gladys, Darren, Rodney & Andre. I have known Bob & Gladys for many years through Ballroom dancing and acting. Bob loved Ballroom dancing. He was a great student and loved to learn. He always had a carefree attitude and a jovial laugh. It was always a joy working with Bob on the movie set. He loved acting in front of the camera. Most of the time it was always Bob & Gladys on the movie set as a couple. I sure miss those times working with Bob & Gladys on set. Rest in peace Bob
I would like to offer the family my deepest and most sincere condolences. I have many fond memories of Bob over the years. I’ve never forgotten the appetizer selections served at the restaurant. And our delight in seeing Bob in the movies.
Andrea & family - Robert sounds like such an interesting and kind man who lived a wonderful life full of passion and adventure. We're thinking of you and your family and wish you all the best.
I had the pleasure of dining at Hennessy's Restaurant on several occasions and had I been able to back then, my brother and I would have rated the food and service 5 bowling balls on Yelp and Google. Not only was the food excellent, but what people didn't know is the restaurant had a secret ride that kids could use for free. A secret elevator that my brother Adam and I frequented often, one we could barely crawl into and ride up to the second floor of the restaurant to the back of the kitchen when they kept all the free soda pop. It was a wonderland for a kid, thank you for the free rides and all that soda pop that you could never account for. Several years later I had the opportunity to work with Robert at Eatons in the men's fashion department. Recently promoted to Section Head, what I never revealed in my interview to my boss at the time was that I was completely colourblind. Not only did Robert dress me in complete confidentiality, he also assisted me in dressing the mannequins when the brass came to town. Rest in peace good man, Jason Black
Our sincere condolences to Gladys, Darren, Rodney & Andre - Bob was always a smiling, happy person who would always take the time to talk to you. He always managed to find the nicest 38 short suits for Norm & kept him very well dressed. Bob & Gladys too, supported the boys as they played hockey or if the team was doing fund raising. We had many lovely dinners at Hennessey's. Bob was a wonderful person & I'm sure you will all miss him very much. Our thoughts are with all of you at this time. Norm, Maureen & Greg
Robert was a long time friend of ours in West Vancouver, we loved his sense of humour as well as his Chicken Chow Mein at Hennessey's Fine Chinese Restaurant in Dundarave. Robert had a way of making friends with you instantly, and we will miss him and his great outlook to life. As well as a great supporter of Park Royal. He loved his life as well as his ever faithful wife Gladys. with sincere Love Peter and Helen Black
My sincere condolences to your family. Though I did not know Mr Lee personally, I know my relative Kenneth (Buster) Lee was good friends with him growing up in Montreal. Uncle Buster had been sharing some memories with me over the last few years, and Mr Robert came up often as a friend. In my research to add more context to his stories and memories, I just came across this article on Mr Robert and Mrs Gladys' wedding and thought I'd share, in case you are interested https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62354108/