- Date Of Birth: March 25, 1943
- Date Of Death: October 22, 2015
- State: Maine
Robert “Danny” Lee
March 25, 1943
October 22, 2015
Portland
Robert “Danny” Lee, 72, of Portland, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with Prostate Cancer on Thursday October 22nd at home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Portland Maine, the son of Robert Andrew Lee and Catherine Mary Lydon in 1943. He attended Portland High School but left when he was 17 to join the US Marine Corps. When he returned home, he married Margaret LeClerc in 1963. They had four children. Because he never finished high school, he wanted the best education for his children. He became a salesman for Civic Reading Club and Yankee Distributors. At that time he returned to Portland High School to complete his own education. Then, to further his education, he took college courses at USM.
He joined the Knights of Columbus and became one of the youngest Grand Knights.
He and his wife Margaret purchased Terroni’s Market in 1970, which they owned and operated for over 30 years. Using the store as the family livelihood, he purchased the former Valle’s Sandwich Shop in Woodford’s Corner and renamed it “Danny’s”. He and his wife then purchased Casco Bottling Company. Retaining the majority stock, he took in a partner to help run the business as he worked day and night to keep Terroni’s Market one of the cleanest and best sandwich stores in Portland.
With his natural ability for conversation and interest in people and the city, he ran for the Portland City Council. After narrowly missing his first bid for office, he was appointed to the Portland Planning Board for a three-year term. When his term expired, he ran for the Council again and won. He was very proud of his accomplishments during his tenure. He always pointed out his names on plaques at Casco Bay Ferry Terminal and the Barron Center to his grandchildren. Additionally, he and his wife traveled to Japan on a trade mission to represent Portland to our “sister city”, Shinagawa.
Danny leaves his wife, Margaret, after 52 years of marriage; his son, Robert J. Lee and wife Caroline, of Cape Elizabeth and their three children, whom he loved dearly, Patrick, Caitlin, and Meghan; his son, Daniel S. Lee of Las Vegas, NV; his daughter Catherine Saltz of Attleboro, MA, and her three children, to whom he was more than just “grampy”, Adrienne Saltz, Esq of Chicago IL, Jonathan Saltz of Palo Alto, CA, and his “Little Elizabeth” of Attleboro MA; his daughter, Kellie M. Lee, Esq of Simsbury ,CT who was his constant caregiver with his wife since the beginning of his sickness.
He was pre-deceased by his parents and younger brother Michael Lee. He is also survived by his older sister, Mary Morong, of South Portland; a very special nephew, Peter Morong; nephew, Daniel Morong; and niece, Kathryn Gilbert.
First and foremost, Danny will be remembered for his love for his family.
