Charles Lee
July 19, 1925-June 9, 2012
Atherton, California

CHARLES LEE - At home surrounded by the family he so loved Charles passed peacefully on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

Beloved husband of Jean Egan Lee, loving father of Kevin and Dennis Lee; Moira Simunovich (Jim); Terri LaJoie (Jerry); Sheila Trombadore (Mike); proud grandfather of Stephanie Kindler(Dorsey); Daniel (Morgan), Matthew and Sarah Simunovich;Caitlin. Mark, Andrew and step grandson Jacob LaJoie; Charlie, Erin and Henry Trombadore; great granddaughter Aimee Jean.

A third generation San Franciscan, Charlie was born July 19, 1925, to Eugenia and Charles Lee. Growing up in the Sunset District, he attended Francis Scott Key grade school, Lowell High School, class of winter '42.

During World War II he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion. With the Fighting 299th, Charlies' primary duty was to drive a 2 1/2 ton truck in combat areas hauling personnel, explosives, and military supplies. He participated in the Normandy campaign in France, the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, and was among the first U.S. troops to cross the Rhine River into Germany.

Upon his return to San Francisco, he enrolled in the University of San Francisco. After his graduation and marriage in 1949, he started his working career in San Francisco and thus began a lifelong love of the oil business, starting with Tidewater Oil in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Occidental Petroleum, Los Angeles, and retiring as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Natomas Company.

After his retirement from Natomas, he worked for Smith Barney as a managing director. He served on five corporate boards: American President Lines, Bergen Brunswig Corp., Greyhound Bus Lines, Mattel Inc and Natomas Company. He is a Trustee Emeritus and President's Ambassador of U.S.F., and was named alumnus of the year 1996 by the University. He is a Knight of Malta, a former Serran and a thirty eight year member of the Church of Nativity. He served as the Chair of the Board of Regents 1998-2001 at St. Patrick's Seminary.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to his caregivers, Jose Pinto, Charlie Malag and William Halapua. Our deepest gratitude to the hospice team of Pathways who were with us every minute and to San Carlos Adult Daycare CYO for their compassionate care these many years.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop John Wester on Tuesday June 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025. Reception immediately following Mass.

Donations may be made in Charlie's memory to the University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117; Pathways, 585 North Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085; San Carlos Adult Daycare CYO, 787 Walnut St., San Carlos, CA 94070.

Tags: veteran, business