Gary A. Lee
American politician (1933–2022)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gary Alcide Lee (August 18, 1933 – October 12, 2022) was an American politician from New York. A Republican, he was noted for his service as a member of the New York State Assembly (1975–1978) and the United States House of Representatives (1979–1983).
Gary Alcide Lee | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 33rd district | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | William F. Walsh |
| Succeeded by | Henry J. Nowak |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 128th district | |
| In office January 1, 1975 – January 31, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Constance E. Cook |
| Succeeded by | Hugh S. MacNeil |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 18, 1933 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 2022 (aged 89) Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kathleen Ann O'Brian (m. 1958) Maureen Elizabeth Peterson (m. 2006) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Colgate University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1952–1956 |
| Rank | Petty Officer Second Class |
Early life
Lee was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Harold D. Lee and Margaret (Brewer) Lee.[1][2] He graduated from Northside High School in Corning, New York in 1951[3] and served in the United States Navy from 1952 until 1956, attaining the rank of petty officer second class.[4] He later served in the United States Naval Reserve, in which he attained the rank of lieutenant (junior grade).[5] Lee graduated from Colgate University in 1960 and later did graduate studies at Colgate and at Cornell University.[4] After college he worked as an educational administrator and consultant, including director of Cornell's financial aid, student loan and scholarship programs.[4]
Political career
A Republican, Lee served as a member of the Corning, New York city council in 1962.[4] From 1963 to 1967 he was a member of the town board in Dryden, New York, and he served as Dryden's town supervisor from 1967 to 1969.[4] From 1968 to 1974, Lee served in the Tompkins County Legislature.[4] From 1975 to 1978, Lee was a member of the New York State Assembly, sitting in the 181st and 182nd New York State Legislatures.[4]
Lee was elected to Congress in 1978 and represented New York's 33rd congressional district from January 3, 1979 until January 3, 1983.[4] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination in 1982, when re-districting created a primary contest with George Wortley in the 27th district, which Wortley won.[6]
Later life
After leaving Congress, Lee resided in Alexandria, Virginia, and was vice president of IC Industries.[4] He later relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where he remained active in politics, including serving as chair of the Lee County Republican Party for ten years.[7] Lee died in Fort Myers, Florida, on October 12, 2022, at the age of 89.[3] He was cremated, with arrangements handled by the Neptune Society.[3]
