Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas rose in the Ontario Legislature last week to pay tribute to a well-known Sudburian who died earlier this month.
Gélinas was honouring the outstanding legacy of former Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Dan Lee, who died on November 12 at the age of 80.
Lee was a career police officer with the OPP, who followed in his father's footsteps and served for 31 years with that organization. Although he was well-known in his policing role in Sudbury, it was after he retired in the 1990s that Lee became more involved in local community service.
Among his many activities, Lee was a past director of the Sudbury Community Services' Board; a member of the Salvation Army advisory board; president of the Sudbury Sports Council; co-founder of Operation Red Nose; co-founder of the Sudbury Bridge of Nations project; co-chair of the 2010 Ontario Summer Games; co-chair of the Special Olympics’ National Summer Games with a long time commitment to the Law Enforcement Torch Run; founder of the OPP Strike Force Group involving at its peak four sports and 34 teams; past president and committee member for Holy Redeemer Church and Vice Chair with the OPP Veterans’ Association. Lee was a life-member of the Sudbury chapter of the OPP Veteran's group.
Lee's policing career began in 1965. He was posted to Geraldton and then Upsala. On May 3, 1971, Lee was transferred to Sudbury Detachment. He was promoted to Sergeant on November 1, 1989. He retired from the OPP on June 30, 1996.
As part of his career, Lee was assigned to represent the OPP at the world's fair in Osaka, Japan in 1970. This is where he met Susie, the woman who would later become his wife.
Lee is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Catherine (Dan), and his son Timothy (Candace) and their children Joshua and Emily.
Gélinas told the legislature she would miss her friend.
"Rest in peace, Sgt. Lee," she said.
