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Thread: Leonard Lee - RIP

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Johannesburg, South Africa
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    1,076

    Unhappy Leonard Lee - RIP

    We all owe an immense gratitude to Mr Lee for bringing us a multitude of great tools over the years.

    RIP Sir!

    llee.jpg
    "If you have all your fingers, you can convert to Metric"

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    420
    I met Mr. Lee several times. At one point I approached him about opening a franchise operation in Vancouver. Unfortunately, that was about the time that he had problems with a franchise operation out West and decided to pull it all back to being owned and managed by the family so I was out of luck. We met several more times over the years and I was always impressed by his high standards and integrity. For all of his forward thinking on how to treat the customers and bringing back old tools done better, he was very much a traditionalist. Every employee of Lee Valley knew that his name was Mr. Lee. NOBODY called him Leonard twice!

    In many respects we have him to thank for being able to buy real hand tools rather than tool-shaped objects. He will be sorely missed!
    Best regards,

    Ron

    You haven't really been lost until you've been lost at Mach 2!


  3. #3
    To Rob Lee, the Lee Family and the LV Staff - please accept my condolences in this sad time. Your Dad set the standard for how to treat his customers and providing good value in all his products. We'll miss him too.

    Sadly,
    Fred Skelly
    Last edited by Frederick Skelly; 07-07-2016 at 7:44 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Williamsburg,Va.
    Posts
    12,402
    I had some conversations with Mr. Lee,and I sent him a White back saw. They were originally a bit crude,and so were our accurate repros! He sent me his book. I am sorry to hear that he is gone. My condolences to his family.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Dublin, CA
    Posts
    4,119
    I never interacted with Leonard Lee, but his sharpening book was the first one I read that really "worked" for me, and he obviously built an incredibly organization and legacy.

    My condolences to his family and colleagues.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Longview WA
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    My condolences to the Lee family and many friends.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    1,363
    Condolences to all his loved ones - his efforts and accomplishments will be sorely missed.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,622
    Rest in peace Mr. Lee. My condolences to his family & friends.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Encinitas, CA
    Posts
    671
    I just saw this online too. My condolences go out to the Lee Family and Company members.
    Gary

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    SE Michigan
    Posts
    3,222
    I just read Mr Lee's bio. A truly accomplish man with a diverse interest in creating things that made a positive impact on many lives.
    Rob, may you and your family find comfort in the fact that he has enabled enjoyment for many for generations to come.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Marshall, NC
    Posts
    282
    My situation is like Patrick's, I have his sharpening book but I never met him. He was a smart man. I would have liked to meet him.
    I was once a woodworker, I still am I'm just saying that I once was.

    Chop your own wood, it will warm you twice. -Henry Ford

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Gibsons British Columbia Canada ( near Vancouver )
    Posts
    693
    I too wish to pass on my condolences to the Lee family and employees of LV.
    I am proud of what a fellow Canadian ( and fellow Saskatchewan native ) accomplished- a legacy to be proud of.
    Dave B

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Milton, GA
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    Rob and family, know that everyone here at SawMill Creek has you in our thoughts. We appreciate everything you and yours do to enhance our enjoyment of working with wood. Many of us feel a link to your family and company that goes beyond enjoying the tools. It is personal and we feel your loss.

  14. #14
    What a rich and interesting life Leonard Lee lived! I am saddened with his death and hope that at this time his family can be together to celebrate his life and support each other in their loss.

    I'm certain that in his retirement he took great pride in the ability of his children to carry on with his life's work and continue to build upon his vision.

  15. #15
    To the Lee family and the Lee Valley-Veritas family I offer my sincerest condolences and prayers. Mr. Leonard Lee left a fine legacy for his family and his country. Too rarely are commercial acumen, altruism, and high ethical standards found in one person. Mr. Lee was one of those rare individuals. May he rest in peace.
    Dave Anderson

    Chester, NH

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