Norman Joseph Lee, Jr.

NORMAN JOSEPH (JOE) LEE, JR., of Perryman died suddenly on July 3, 2003 at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace. He was 80. Born in August 24, 1922 in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Norman Joseph Lee and Ruth Walsh Lee. He was the loving husband for 55 years to Eleanor Grier Lee and spent his entire life in Perryman. Maryland.

Mr. Lee was educated at Charlotte Hall Military School in southern Maryland and Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he is a member of the Hall of Fame for his outstanding baseball accomplishments. He was pursued by the Pittsburgh Pirates but his career was cut short by his Navy service during WW II.

Mr. Lee attended Notre Dame Midshipmen School and volunteered for a newly formed elite group called the Scouts & Raiders. They are acknowledged as the grandfathers of what is now known as the Navy SEALS.

Mr. Lee considered one of his greatest achievements to be the organizing of annual reunions of the Scouts & Raiders/UDT’s (Underwater Demolition Teams). For the last 15 years he spearheaded annual reunions all over the country. The most recent and final reunion was held in Aberdeen this past May.
Through Mr. Lee’s collection of information, this most secret organization, the Scouts & Raiders/UDT’s, will be forever remembered in the U.S. Navy Archives.

After service to his country, Mr. Lee returned to Harford County where he renewed his love for baseball. He belonged to the old Susquehanna League where he played for the Aberdeen Canners. He also played for teams in the Eastern Shore League. Mr. Lee sponsored many teams and played softball well into his 50’s. In his final year he was named Most Valuable Player.

Mr. Lee was the owner of Lee Buick in Perryman started by his grandfather, Isaac Lee in 1910. The dealership was sold to his good friend Clarence Boyle in 1968. He was an owner of HarCo Distributor’s of Aberdeen, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Havre de Grace and for many years operated National Car Rental locations throughout Harford County.
He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Harford Bank and a charter member of Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan, now known as Susquehanna Bank.

Mr. Lee was a past President of the Aberdeen Rotary Club and past member of the Board of Directors of Harford Memorial Hospital. He was also a former delegate for the Democratic State Central Committee and was an avid public speaker.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Lee is survived by three sons, N. Joseph Lee, III of Bel Air; Daniel W. Lee and his wife Cynthia of Bel Air; Andrew G. Lee and his wife, Colleen of Churchville; one daughter, Elizabeth Hacke of Bel Air; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Eleanore L. Kunkle and Sallie L. VanRensselaer of Bel Air; and Mollie L. Maslin of Perryman. In addition to his parents, Mr. Lee was predeceased by his daughter, Kristin G. Lee and a sister, Jane L. Petrick.

Pallbearers will be N. Joseph Lee, III, Daniel W. Lee, Andrew G. Lee, N. Joseph Lee, IV, Alex G. Lee, and Wyatt D. Lee.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, 10801 Tony Drive, Suite A, Lutherville, MD 21093.