WAYLAND: Edward Davenport Lee, 92, died peacefully and comfortably surrounded by his loving family on Monday, August 8, 2016 following a courageous and dignified battle with cancer.
He was born in the family residence in Wayland on September 25, 1923 the son of the late Harry Davenport Lee and Mary Elizabeth (Walsh) Lee and was a fourth generation of Lee’s to live in Wayland.
Ed is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 68 years Dorothy “Dottie” (Wells) Lee of Cochituate. Beloved father of Pamela A. Frey of Mound Ridge, KS; Edward D. “Ted” Lee, Jr and his wife Charlie Lee of Ashland; Ginger D. Livingstone and her husband Greg Livingstone of Wayland and the late James H. Lee who died March 5, 2013. Cherished grandfather of Jeremy, Kenneth and Roz, Jennifer, Benjamin, Jessica, Matthew, Evan and 3 great-grandchildren. Brother of Virginia Cullen of Framingham; Mary Orcianelli of Yarmouthport; Jessie Bacon of Hudson and the late Phyllis Boxill, James Lee and Henry Lee. Father-in-law of the late William O. Frey who died June 30, 2012. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Ed was a lifelong resident of Wayland and was a graduate of Wayland High School. He served his country proudly and with honor during World War II with the United States Army for the 544th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and the American Theater. He was an extremely patriotic man and faithfully raised and lowered his American flag daily at his residence. He always participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Wayland and for many years was interviewed by Wayland High School students about his service to our country. When Ed returned to Wayland from the service he worked for his family at their family owned Lee’s Farm Market. He them became associated with Harold J. Lundy General Contractor of Wayland as a construction carpenter. He also did private contracting and excavating in Wayland. He retired after over 20 years as s Heavy Equipment Operator for the Town of Wayland Water Department.
He was a lifelong member of the Community United Methodist Church and volunteered for whatever needed to be done at the church. He was a member of the American Legion Charles Alward Post 133 of Wayland. He was a member of the Wayland Historical Society and the Wayland Senior Citizens. He loved to travel to Maine especially time spent at Acadia National Park. He was an avid gardener of both vegetables and flowers and enjoyed projects around his home and wood cutting.
The most important aspect of Ed’s life was the devotion and love that he had for Dottie, the children and grandchildren and providing for them and lending advice when asked. His family will remember his as a hardworking and honest man and his love of sweets.
Visitations will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte. 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
His funeral service will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 10:00 am at the Community United Methodist Church, 5 Damon Street (corner of Rte 27 and Damon St), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Lee family lot in North Cemetery in Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly asks that memorial gifts in Ed’s memory be sent to the Community United Methodist Church.