Kan Foo Lee

Kan Lee passed away peacefully on July 20th, 2021 in Calgary, AB with his granddaughter by his side. He is predeceased by his Mother Nguyen Lee and Father Art Lee, first wife Kim Lee, infant daughter Kathleen Lee, and sister Susan Wong. He is survived by his wife Sue Ping Lee, sons; Michael and Alan (Teresa) Lee, Grandchildren; Melissa Lee, Robyn (Robert) Hein, David Lee, Garrett Lee (Megan Duggleby), Brian Lee, Chris Lee (Michael Kvasnak), and Robert Lee (Nicole Zastrow), great Grandson Leo Hein. As well as his brothers; Ying Lee and Yee Gong Lee and sisters; Toi Pin Loi, Xin Guan Li and Mee Fong Cheung. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Kan immigrated to Canada as a teenager alongside his cousin Jack Lee in 1951 from Toishan, Kwantung, China. After living through the Japanese Invasion of World War II and the Chinese Revolution of 1949, they departed from Hong Kong in November of 1950 aboard the SS President Cleveland sailing to Yokohama, Tokyo, Honolulu and arriving in San Francisco in December of 1950. After spending Christmas in San Francisco Chinatown they boarded the Great Northern Railway which would carry them on to White Rock, B.C. and then to Vancouver in January of 1951. They resided in Golden B.C. until September of 1951, when his aunt and uncle bought a restaurant in Weyburn, SK. After arriving in Weyburn, he would attend Souris School and graduate from Weyburn Comprehensive High School. Eventually the time would come when Kan would venture out on his own and open up Chicken Delight alongside his first wife Kim, who had also immigrated to Canada. In the 1970's, after their two boys were born, he would move locations and rename his restaurant as Knotty Pine. He served the community of Weyburn for over 20 years before he would remarry Sue Ping Lee after the passing of his first wife, Kim. Shortly after, he sold the restaurant and moved to Calgary, AB. Kan was a quiet man who loved history and antiques. He worked hard to make a living for his family in Canada. Many of us would not be here today without him and we will forever grateful for him.

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