"Butch" Allan Lee

Mr. Allan “Butch” Lee of Melita and formerly of Pierson passed away at the Melita PCH on Monday, July 19, 2021 at the age of 91.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen & Sadie (Southam) Lee; father & mother in-law, Joseph & Allena (Coombs) Strath; sister, Jean (Pat) Sterling; brother, Gordon Lee; sisters-in-law, Della Lee, Jean (Larry) Goodship, and Jean Strath; brother-in-law, Art Tucker.

Allan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Anne Lee (Strath); three daughters, Laura Jean (Bruce) Campbell (children, Allan (Amanda) Braxton and Layne Campbell, Adam (El-Lee) Zack and Alivia Campbell, and Stephen Campbell), Myra Anne (Kelly) Bridgeman (children, Halee (Duncan) Bridgeman, Logan Bridgeman, and Beau (Natalie) Bridgeman), Alison McLean (Tony) Lampertz (children, Laird (Catherine) and Cameron Lampertz, Jordan (Calla) Lampertz, and Leandra Lampertz); brother, Ken Lee; sister, Gwen Tucker; sister-in-law, Joyce Lee; brother-in-law, Bill Strath; also numerous nieces and nephews.

A public graveside service to celebrate Allan’s life was held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. from the Pierson Cemetery, Pierson, MB., Pastor Paul Kimball officiated. 

Donations may be given to the Melita Personal Care Home Palliative Care Fund, Box 459 Melita, MB. R0M 1L0, Turtle Mountain Bible Camp, Box 1198 Boissevain, MB. R0K 0E0, or to the Pierson Edward Sports Centre, Box 100 Pierson, MB. R0M 1S0

Butch's eulogy written by his three daughters:

George Allan Lee, passed peacefully on Monday, July 19th, 2021, in Melita, Manitoba.  He was 91 years old.

Dad was born on the family farm, NE 30-02-28, on October 28th, 1929 to Stephen and Sadie Lee.  He was the fourth of five siblings. He spent the first three years of his life growing up on the farm, but due to the dry conditions of the 1930s, his family moved into the town of Pierson and he officially became a “town kid”.

Dad took his schooling, up to Grade 11, in Pierson and then had the opportunity to move to Winnipeg where he finished his Grade 12 at the St. John’s College School and then went on to the University of Manitoba where he completed his degree in Agriculture.  While in Winnipeg, he competed in various sports; hockey and football being his favourite.

While attending the U of M, Dad met his future wife, Barbara Strath from Souris, MB.  Mom was obtaining her degree in Home Economics and needed help with Organic Chemistry.  Dad decided he would offer his services as a tutor and the rest is history!  Barbara and Allan were married March 27, 1954.  Their marriage was nearly postponed as the Pierson Bruins were in Provincial playoffs against the Dauphin Kings but unfortunately (for hockey fans) they lost and were not able to play on, however, it did let the wedding take place as planned, and thanks to a stray puck, Dad’s black eye had to be retouched in their wedding photos!

Allan and Barb moved to the farm, where he had been born, to farm and raise their family of three girls, Laura Jean, Myra and Alison. The farm was a great place to grow up. It was filled with pets, cattle, horses, 4-H calves, chickens, music and love,   lots of love. 

In the winter of 1956, Dad had the opportunity and was invited to play hockey in England with the Wembley Lions.  Allan, Barb and Laura Jean moved there for the winter and had the experience of a lifetime.  The team played in an English league but also went on a 6 week Scandinavian tour over the Christmas holidays, an experience he spoke of often. After that season, they returned home to Pierson to do what he loved;   farm,  work within the community and enjoy playing hockey and ball for several more years.

Dad and Uncle Ken farmed together in a grain and commercial cow operation. They were a hard working partnership and when Brian grew up, he joined the operation, later on, Roger joined the team. In the early 1970s they started incorporating Simmental into the herd with Imports from Switzerland and an A I breeding program to build a Pure Bred and Full Blood Simmental cow herd under the name of KAL-LEE Simmental Farms.

Serving his community was very important to Dad. He dedicated much of his time to his community by participating on multiple boards and he was involved in many community projects.

In 1989, Dad was given the honour of being the first  amateur hockey player from Manitoba to be inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

Dad may have lived with 3 daughters but when he took on the coaching of a 6 and under team, they became his boys. He, along with the other coaches, Ken Lee, Ian Murray, Jim Spencer, Doug Miner and John Cole, coached this team from the start of their minor hockey careers until they finished Midget Hockey and high school. Dad loved their work ethic, how well they worked together and their individual personalities. Dad’s boys meant the world to him and they held a special spot in his life, even after they left home and started their lives and families. He was always proud of the men they had become. When hearing of Dad’s passing, one of these “boys” said, “He (Dad) was very influential to me and my hockey mates. Imagine coaching a group of kids that you are not related to by blood but committed to for All those years”     Right after Dad had his stroke, this same young man made a CD with footage of some of their games, Provincial wins and their times together. Acts like this show the bond and we are so happy Dad had this opportunity…you will always be Dad’s boys to us.

Family was very important to Dad. We had many family gatherings growing up and the opportunity to be with his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews meant a lot to him. He also enjoyed all the games that occurred and the “friendly” dose of competitiveness. It may run in the family.

Dad loved and was very proud of his 9 Grandchildren and 5 (with one on the way) Great Grandchildren. Working on projects or in the gardens, taking them golfing, skating, playing road hockey or camping were always fun times. He attended as many of their sporting events as possible and it was always special when Grandma and Grandpa were there. He was a hands on Grandpa and they loved every minute spent with him. Unfortunately, he was not able to actively participate with his Great Grandchildren but his face would light up when he saw them or pictures of them. He was so proud of you all and all you have accomplished.

We are so thankful to have had a Dad who loved to laugh,    had a wonderful sense of humour,    a man who loved to sing (and on key),    a man who worked hard to provide for his family,    a man of faith,   a Loving husband,  father,  grandfather and great-grandfather and a friend to many.

Thank you for being here to honour and celebrate our Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa.

It’s tough to lose such a special man but we know he’s in a better place.

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