Tim Lee, an artist and longtime and active member of the Springs community, passed away on Wednesday at Southampton Hospital, surrounded by his children.
Lee just turned 60 on April 2. His daughter, Julia Lee, said her family is planning a memorial service for May 17 at Ashawagh Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Friends are welcome to drop by and share their stories.
Though Lee grew up in Chinatown, he always considered Maidstone Park his home. He spent every summer of his life and nearly every weekend in Maidstone, after his parents bought a cottage there in 1953. He moved to Springs full-time about 23 years ago to raise his children Liam and Julia.
In 2011, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. His friends organized a music and art fundraiser in his honor at Ashawagh Hall in October 2012.
In an article that appeared in East Hampton Patch at the time, his friend Kris Warrenburg described him as the "part of the heartbeat of Springs."
A photographer and party lights designer who also deals in antiques, Lee was a familiar face at Ashawagh Hall and Springs events, such as the Fisherman's Fair. His works can be seen at Neoteric Fine Arts gallery in Amagansett.
He was a huge fan of all New York sports, especially the Yankees. He coached both of his children's Little League teams, and even played in the Maidstoners softball league.
Lee was also a proud member of his family's lion dancing club in Chinatown, the Chinatown Community Young Lions.
In addition to his two children, he is survived by his sister Audrey Lee, of Springs, and his brothers Geoffrey Lee and Jan Lee, both of whom live in Chinatown, as well as his older sister Valerie Tom.
East Hampton Patch sends its condolences to Tim Lee's children and family. Please join us in remembering Lee. Leave a comment below.
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