It is with great sorrow that the family of Howard Yee announces his passing in Timmins ON on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Lila, whom he married in 1958, his six children, Debbie, Alfred (Penny), Kim (Andre Vien), Julie (Guy Robitaille), Doris, and Nancy (Phil Grabowski), and their children, David and Hailey Rowe, Richard and Danielle Vien, Amy and Sara Robitaille, and Patrick and Katie Grabowski. During his fifty years of living in this community, he made the acquaintance of many: those who knew him as the owner of the London Café Restaurant; those who enjoyed many hunting and fishing adventures with him; and those who shared his passion for Labrador Retrievers and the competition of the field trial. As a respected elder of the Timmins Chinese Community, Howard brought many cultural events to this city and was always proud of his heritage. In October 2005, in what might have been his happiest achievement, he brought his entire family to China to his ancestral village, where he was an esteemed benefactor for his many contributions to the village?s fortunes. Sadly, it was shortly after this trip that he was diagnosed with cancer.
Howard loved life and all that it had to offer; his enthusiasm and energy were contagious. He liked to laugh, he was open to new experiences and with his ready grin, he was always prepared to meet new people and make new friends. He will be doing just that in his new world. In this one, he will be greatly missed and never forgotten by his family and friends.
Many thanks to Dr. Auger and the third floor staff at the Timmins and District Hospital for their care and support. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 2nd, 2007 at the Lessard-Stephens Funeral Home. Interment at Timmins Memorial Cemetery. A reception to follow at 3 p.m. at the London Café Restaurant, 38 Mountjoy Street South. Remembrance donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 31st, from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Thursday, February 1st, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Maison funéraire LESSARD-STEPHENS Funeral Home. (705)268-4488. Online donations or condolences can be made at