Wayne R. Lee, of Fanwood, NJ and Old Forge passed away peacefully with his family at his side on June 23, 2014 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
He was born in Manhattan and grew up in Hempstead, Long Island.
Wayne graduated from Alfred University in 1969 with a BA in English and with his bride-to-be, Betsy, at his side. They were married in 1975.
Wayne did graduate work at NYU and went on to teach English, American Literature, and the Visual Image for 40 years at Watchung Hills Regional High School in New Jersey.
He was a beloved teacher who inspired young people to do great things with their lives.
He was admired for his ability to reach out to students, parents, faculty, and administrators when a calm and sensible voice needed to intervene.
The capstone of his teaching career was being named the “2008 Teacher of the Year.”
He was also a mentor, a coach, a Boy Scout leader, a bookstore owner and business partner, a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and a devoted lifelong fan of the New York Mets.
Spending summers in Old Forge her whole life, Betsy introduced Wayne to the area in 1977 with a trip to Rocky Point.
It was from that moment that he fell in love with the Adirondacks.
Kayaking, hiking, and taking his dog swimming were among his favorite activities. He was a wonderful cook and loved shopping in DiOrios and at the Farmers’ Market.
He frequented businesses in town and truly loved being part of the community in his own quiet way. He looked forward to dinners out at places like Frankie’s where he received the affectionate moniker of “Dr. Lee,” which he enjoyed.
Wayne is survived by his wife Betsy, sons Benjamin and Timothy, daughter-in-law Melissa, granddaughter Munroe Olivia, sister Linda Lee, sister-in-law Linda Them, nieces, nephews, numerous other family members, and his beloved golden retriever, Scout.
Wayne was laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Old Forge on June 30, 2014.
