Lee’s Eulogy
It was 1975; Lee was four weeks old, after every feed he vomited, he was losing weight and most often crying. Dilys, Lee’s mum was certain there was something seriously wrong. Hi! said Richard, Lee’s dad as he entered the room proudly wearing a sued suit straight from Camden market. Dilys had just finished feeding Lee, he was ravenous. Lee, six feet away, turned his head and projectile vomited all over the suede suit. ‘Fair Comment’ Dilys thought to herself.
After several visits to the doctors, mum and dad took Lee to A&E, Lee was crying and a nurse came over and said “Oh, he is crying because he is hungry, he just needs feeding” Dilys said of course he is hungry he can’t keep anything down.” The nurse said “lets feed him shall we” she did, and Lee projectile vomited all over her. The nurse said, “let’s get the doctor to look at him.” A doctor came and felt his side and said a classic case of pyloric stenosis.
The cure for pyloric stenosis emerged from a fortunate accident during an exploratory operation. During the exploratory procedure, they noticed the thickened pylorus muscle and decided to make an incision to relieve the obstruction. This allowed the food to pass freely from the stomach to the intestines. Pyloromyotomy, first performed in 1910 is now commonly used. It saved Lee’s life!
Lee was a delicate baby. Not surprising after the trauma he suffered when he was only a few weeks old. I always said and still do say to my children the most important thing above everything else is to have fun. If you’re not having fun, search for it, there is always re-runs of ‘Taskmaster’ or ‘8 out of ten cats’ to fall back on.

Lee’s Quick Wit
Lee, a man with a mind as sharp as a well-honed blade, was known for his quick wit. His humour danced on the edge of mischief, catching unsuspecting souls off guard. Whether it was a clever quip or a perfectly timed punchline, at work Lee had a knack for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. His workmates NAMES and his boss were not spared his razor-sharp wit, and he would like to take this opportunity to say to Matt Perkin ‘you’re a dick.’
One sunny day, when Lee was in his teens, his sister Cara (affectionately called Caz), and mum and dad went shopping in Saltash. As the escalator hummed beneath their feet, Lee’s mischievous spirit stirred. His eyes twinkled, and mischief brewed like a secret potion. And then, with impeccable timing, he leaned toward Cara and whispered, “Cazimodo!” The word hung in the air, a fusion of “Caz” and “Quasimodo.” Cara blinked, momentarily puzzled. But as the syllables settled, realization dawned. Lee had bestowed upon her a nickname—a hybrid of affection and absurdity. “Cazimodo”
And oh, how they laughed! Lee’s wit took centre spotlight. Cara’s laughter bubbled up—a delightful blend of surprise, amusement, and sibling camaraderie. The nickname stuck, etching itself into their shared history.
To this day, whenever Lee and Cara reminisce about that Saltash adventure, they crack up. “Cazimodo” remains their private joke—a testament to Lee’s humour, Cara’s good sportsmanship, and the magic of family bonds.
Lee taught them that laughter is the mortar that binds hearts. In the mundane, he found the extraordinary. And in a simple nickname, he wove memories that transcended time.
And so, it was the escalator that carried them upward, but it was Lee’s wit that elevated their spirits.
On another occasion ,out shopping, this time in 'Falmouth' Cara was having a bit of a strop and lee quipped. I know why we’ve come to Falmouth it’s because Cara has a foul mouth. Cara and Lee had a great bond with each other. Which grew even stronger when Cara moved back to Cornwall in early 2023.

Stories by Marcus Lee’s school friend. Marcus says these are only as accurate as my memory.

GAUNTLET
Not sure how old we were, 10-12? Lee and I were on his Commodore 64 having a great time playing Gauntlet. As long as one player stayed alive the other could rejoin. We'd managed this for hours on end. So many laughs, we were loving it.
We managed to get to a high level, maybe 70 or so.
Suddenly the electric went off!
We just sat looking at each other for a minute trying to process what had just happened. Lee said, damn, we forgot to put money in the meter.
Soon we were over it and talking about what a great game we'd just played, that was amazing etc.
It must have been special as I still remember some of it now.

THE RED SKATEBOARD ‘Marcus’
11-12 yrs. old maybe. I had some spare wheels and trucks so made a new skateboard deck.
Painted it bright red. When it was finished Me, Lee and Mark tried it out. Mark was the best skater of the three but neither he nor I could balance on this board for long. It was very sensitive. Lee however could ride it and keep his balance.
The 3 of us headed to a long, steep hill to ride what we were good at, sitting down.
We pushed off together and Lee soon took the lead. We were all laughing watching Lee trying to control the wobbling board.
The distance between us was getting bigger all the time. Lee was flying and getting more speed wobble all the time. No one thought it possible Lee could stay on this crazy skateboard.
We all came to a halt, unharmed and amazed at how Lee had done it. Laughing like crazy.
From that day on the red skateboard was known as Lees board. He'd earned it.
Good times.

BEACH JOBS ‘Marcus’
14 yrs. old. Lee and Steve were working in the tearoom/hut at Porthminster alongside a couple of quite old ladies. They must have persuaded me to try for a job. I ended up working in the beach shop opposite the tearoom.
The 3 of us were discussing pay one day. As we were 14, we got £1.40 an hr, at 15 it would be £1.50, 16 £1.60 and so on.
I can't remember who said it, but I'm sure we all thought it. Those tearoom ladies must be making a fortune, at least £7 an hour. That didn't sound bad, much more than £1.40.

SCHOOL DINNER ‘Marcus’
Probably 15 yr. olds. Lee got caught walking back into school at the end of dinner time.
Teacher asked him where he'd been. Lee said he had to go home for dinner because he'd forgotten his dinner money.
The teacher said next time you forget your dinner money bring a note with you.???
Next day Lee has a note from his Mum? Says something like. Lee has permission to come home at dinner time because he's forgotten his dinner money.
That note served him well for a while. Anytime he wanted to go somewhere during dinner time, he had it covered. Until a teacher eventually took the note.

COTTAGE HOTEL ‘Marcus’
Lee was working at the Cottage, age 15 and managed to get me a job working alongside him.
Cara was waitressing at the time.
I remember starting and all these gorgeous waitresses were coming in 1 at a time with dishes for us. It was all, Hi Lee, Morning Lee, how are you Lee? Alright Lee?
I was, damn, see why you like it here mate lol.
I remember a few times Lee would get blamed for doing or not doing something, when it was actually someone else’s fault.
This was when the wrath of Cara was unleashed, lol. Cara would stand up for her little brother, backed up by all the other waitresses.
There were a few blushes from our side of the kitchen, and definitely a few crushes. Although I'm sure we played it cool as usual.
(If Cara's wondering I can only remember 3 waitresses. I liked Anne Waller and I think Lee liked Michelle Pardoe)

Stories by Steve Gray Lee’s school friend
Alton Towers by ‘Steve Gray’
I have great memories of this trip when Lee and I were still at school. The coach trip, getting there before they were open, being the first at the gate, first in the queue for the corkscrew rollercoaster, front carriage seats. I'd never been on a roller coaster before, so it was a great experience. I would not have gone on most rides if not for Lee egging me on. Though I did chicken out of a couple. Lee was always encouraging, to which I was grateful for on this trip and throughout life.
The cling film incident Tristan and Monkey to expand.
I think this was an idea between Lee and Tristan to trap Nick ‘Monkey’ in a phone box using some industrial strength cling film, after we had all had a few beers. ( monkey was calling his sister and monkey kept calling the phone company they couldn’t come because the phone was working, so he called Lee again nd again and Lee said you’ll have to call the police, he did and they all went up to the phone box to watch two laughing police men cutting him out of the phone box. you and you said then Lee lent on the door, while Tristan whizzed round the phone box with cling film. Then we all buggered off and left him. I believe he had to make a few reverse charge calls before getting out.
Butlins ‘Steve’
We were going to stay at Butlins with my brother Rob and his ex-Trudy. Trudy had been given free Butlins tickets and her and Rob asked if me and Lee wanted to come, only we were one ticket short. So we agreed Lee would climb in the car boot just outside Butlins and we would smuggle him in. it seemed like a good idea until we went in and there were multiple speed bumps, and every bumb we heard a loud OUCH! From the car boot. Poor Lee was still recovering from the operation on his spine.
Lee’s new bedroom carpet ‘Steve’
I remember Lee’s mum and dad getting new carpet for Lee’s bedroom. I think Rob and Lee laid the carpet. I remember Lee accidently knocking over a cup of coffee (Smelly old Bong) on the first day … we were all ‘OH SHIT’ We tried to clean it but it would not come out, I think Lee put a chair over it so his mum and dad wouldn’t find out.

Lee getting me my first two jobs ‘Steve’
When we were at school, Lee was working serving at he beach café on Porthminster beach, he got me a job for a week (my first) my memory of that is vague, I know we had a laugh. The second job was a week or two being a KP (kitchen porter) at the Cottage Hotel, where one day we started throwing food scraps at each other, it turned it to full scale food fight with food everywhere all up the kitchen walls. We were so young and lazy, that after cleaning the kitchen tops, we decided to tie tea towels to our feet, lay on the kitchen tops to finish the walls. This went well until the Italian Boss (Manuel on Steroids) came in and went mad.
The Stag Do ‘Steve’
My memory of this is a little vague probably due to the alcohol, but I remember Tristan falling asleep. So Lee grabbed a permanent marker and started drawing on Tristan’s face. To which we all joined in until his face was covered completely, then Nick (Monkey) and Lee filled his shoes with tomatoes for a bit of fun. He went to work the next day but I don’t think he spotted his face until he looked in the rear view mirror of his car.
Jelberts Holiday Camp ‘Steve’
When Lee and I were about 13 – 14 we used to go up to the holiday camp to play arcade games etc. We stupidly had the odd cigarette up there too. One day we went to the toilet, I think I went for a dump and Lee was just waiting having a fag when I could smell burning, so I said what’s burning to Lee, then a hand with a piece of toilet paper appeared under the door with a smiley face burnt into it. Then on the way out of the toilet Jelbert and his heavy mob appeared accusing us of arson and they were ging to call the police. I cant remember exactly what Lee said, but it was the best come back for a 13 – 14 year old, it was something like “Are you having a laugh – yeah right!” We just walked away laughing.
The pickle jar bong ‘Steve’
I remember Lee making a bong from a pickle jar, for I think it was Cara’s birthday party, he cut a piece of hose pipe from the garden for it, but it was awful, it wasn’t until the next day Lee found the pipe was completely blocked with a bit of blowing and sucking Lee found the blockage, it was a snail stuck inside the the hose pipe …. Poor snail..
Lee’s moustache
We were visiting  friends Julie and Dave in St Ives and we wanted to go to the Sloop for a drink, we were not sure if Lee would be old enough to be in the bar, he was about 12 – 13.
Dil had just cut Dave’s hair, so we stuck some of the hair to Sellotape and stuck the home-made moustache to Lee’s upper lip, bless him he saw the funny side and went along with it. It worked very well no one batted an eyelid. We were in bits!

Nick ‘Monkey’ remembers. We went to steeple woods once to sit round a campfire with some beers.
We had a few fireworks, leftover from Guy Fawkes night, and a tin of baked beans for a little entertainment.
Once the fire was lit, the tin of beans was placed in the fire and the wait began.

We drank some beer and set off the fireworks... All but one, which seemed to be a dud... So it got tossed in the fire.
Certain that would do the  trick, we hurriedly hid behind a tree and waited...
And waited...
And waited some more.
Nothing...
Must have been a proper dud.

Lee stepped out to grab another drink, and the tin of beans decided that was the right moment to explode!
Lee started laughing almost immediately... And when I emerged from behind the tree, I saw Lee standing there, covered top to bottom in bean husks... No sauce, no pulp... Just husks.
Both of us stood round the fire now, laughing our heads off at what had just happened, when suddenly...

BANG!
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Crackles!

The dud must have been dislodged to a more combustible location and of course it went off while we were stood there laughing!
The jump scare had us diving for cover again!

I remember thinking, on the way home... If a policeman asks us...
'Where have you been tonight?'
Lee could've responded by pointing at various parts of his body while saying...
'Here... Here... One there, and there... A bit of one here... one on there.' 😂

Kept us smiling for quite a while after that. 😊

From his sister Cara…..

I was 3 years older than my ‘BIG little Bro’ as I called him, and I was his ‘Little big Sis’. We found the art of winding each other up we made the most of it.
I hate to admit it, but it made me crack up to watch him wretch when I wiped bogies on his face, and the old favourite changing the tv channels over.
Obviously being bigger in the early days I had the upper hand, my dad said you wait he’s going to get bigger than you, and boy did he ever - 6’ 4” to be exact. So obviously being the big little sister was the safer option.
When he Steve, Rob, Marcus and a few others found da ganga they invited me into their boy pad Lee’s bedroom, and I experienced my first proper laughter giggle session. I remember looking at Steve and saying his head looked like the shape of a pill capsule, it totally tickled me. Little things?
I then went on my own adventures and my big little bro was only 16 when I moved away, so I didn’t really get to know him properly, just holidays a couple of times a year. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know him over the past 10 years and I knew he would be a beautiful person he said to me we are empaths, and he has always been with me.
He loved nature, sky, land, sea all the elements and the universe. Over the last few months, we would sit looking at the stars, listening to the owl in the back garden he told me he was looking forward to his new adventure. He said if he’s a ghost he is going to go round sticking his finger up our noses, still a joker.
I’m going to miss him so much but will always have my photos and memories.
Love you Big Little Bro.

From his mum Dily’s….

Lee was always a very caring loving child. He loved his cuddles.
One day when he was about 7 years old, he came running in to see me, with great excitement! He presented me with a ring box, which had seen better days. Lee was so pleased with my gift he was grinning from ear to ear. He said “there was nothing in it, so I found this”, he opened the box and inside was a small stone.
The best present I’ve ever had, and it has been in my jewellery box for 42 years one of my most treasured possessions.
One day he came home and said “I’m sorry I’m late I had to help a one-armed man do his shoelaces up” someone we often saw playing pool in Scotties our local bar in Carbis Bay.
That was just the sort of person Lee was, always there if you needed help.
He loved his cuddles right up to the very end and they will be imprinted in my heart forever.
The Birth of Lee’s daughter
On the 3rd of June 2004, amidst life’s ebb and flow, Lee’s daughter entered the world. Her arrival was a beacon of hope, a tiny bundle of joy wrapped in wonder. Lee, first saw, and held her in his arms when she was a few weeks old—a moment etched in time, forever imprinted on his heart.
A Brief Encounter
Lee’s daughter’s mother, was a fleeting presence in Lee’s life. Their paths intersected briefly, like shooting stars across the night sky. Their connection, though ephemeral, left an indelible mark—a whisper of what could have been.
The Bond with his daughter
Lee’s love for his daughter transcended time and circumstance. Despite the brevity of his relationship with his daughter’ mother became the centre of his universe. She spent her school holidays with Lee and his family, weaving memories that would last a lifetime.
School Holidays and Shared Moments
The school breaks became a canvas for adventure. Lee and his daughter explored the world together—picnics in sun-drenched beaches, Christmases full of fun and laughter echoing through cozy living rooms, and bedtime stories spun with love. Their bond deepened with each passing day, creating a tapestry of shared experiences.
The Magic of Fond Memories
Perhaps it was the simplicity of those moments—the taste of ice cream on a warm afternoon, the sound of laughter, or the way she cradled her favourite teddy bear—that etched the memories into Lee’s soul. They became snapshots of joy, tucked away in the album of his heart.
A Father’s Love .
Lee’s love for his daughter knew no bounds. He watched her grow, celebrated her victories, and wiped away her tears. Their connection defied labels—it was the quiet strength of a father’s embrace, the unwritten promise to always be there.
The Unforgettable
And so, against the backdrop of fleeting encounters and brief unions, Lee’s love for his daughter blossomed. Their shared holidays, whispered secrets, and bedtime rituals became the threads that wove their story. Each memory, like a polished gem, held the magic of a thousand sunsets.
In the quiet corners of Lee’s heart, a reminder that love transcends time, that even brief encounters can leave an indelible mark. And as the years unfolded, their bond remained unbreakable, a testament to the enduring power of a father’s love.
And so, we leave a father and daughter—wrapped in the warmth of shared memories, their hearts forever intertwined.
One of the most memorable holidays Lee spent with his daughter was a magical adventure planned by his parents Richard and Dilys. A family holiday to the luxurious pink hotel at Euro Disney. Lee, his daughter, his partner, and her 4 children Wesley, Alicia, Stacey and Evie, His sister Cara, her partner Darren and his 2 children Nathan and Jodie —all had the run of the hotel, gathered under one roof. Disney characters at breakfast. The air buzzed with excitement as they explored the enchanting theme park, and the fantastic firework displays every evening. Laughter echoed through the corridors, and memories were etched into the very fabric of the hotel’s walls.

last year, Lee grappled with a persistent ache in his mouth, he should have acted on it sooner, but Lee was no stranger to pain. His pain threshold was unbelievably high! 30 years ago, at work, a milk float—usually a gentle conveyance—reversed at speed through some doors, knocked Lee down and rolled over his back. He was off work for a few weeks, but he soldiered on, resilient as ever, in pain for 3 years. Eventually his back was X-rayed, and they revealed: his nerve, engorged and defiant, barely squeezed into the vertebral canal. So, they wielded scalpels and drills, carving space within bone. The canal was widened, accommodating the rebellious nerve.

And he? He emerged from the operating theatre. His back bore the scars of battles fought in the shadows, where pain danced with courage. The milk float’s assault had left its mark, but so had his resilience. He’d faced the impossible, defying the odds, and emerged—not unscathed still in some pain for the rest of his life, but undeterred. In the end, it wasn’t about nerves and canals. It was about Lee’s indomitable spirit.

Lee had always had a fondness for Harbour Amusements, the amusement arcade on the harbour in St Ives. He used to visit it often as a child and as a teenager, playing his favourite games and having fun with his friends. He had always wondered what it would be like to work there and to be part of the arcade world.

When he was 44, he decided to make a career change and applied for a full-time job at the arcade. He was delighted when he got the job and started his new role. He quickly adapted to the work environment, from welcoming the customers, to collecting the coins, to maintaining the machines. He was always polite, friendly, and professional. He also gained a lot of knowledge and experience from his co-workers and his boss, Sean.

Sean is one of the owners and a manager of the arcade. He had a lot of passion and expertise for the arcade business and had been running it successfully for many years. He was a kind and supportive boss, who cared about his staff and rewarded them for their efforts. He recognised that Lee was a hard-working and dedicated employee and had a genuine interest in the arcade. He also observed that Lee was willing and able to learn more about the technical side of the machines, such as how to troubleshoot them, how to update them, and how to install new ones. Sean decided to give Lee a raise and a new opportunity to enhance his skills.

At the end of Lee’s first season, Sean called him to his office. He had a surprise for him. He gave him an envelope with a bonus cheque and a written note. The note said, “"Lee you have made a great start; you have been reliable and have learnt much. It would be good for you to get more involved in the technical side as your experience grows. Thanks Sean"

Lee was Grateful. He said, “I am grateful to you, Sean. You are an amazing boss and a great teacher. I love working here and I want to do my best. Thank you for giving me this chance. I am very eager to learn more from you.”

Sean smiled and nodded. He said, “You’re very welcome, Lee. I am glad to have you on my team. You have a bright future ahead of you.” He gave Lee a handshake and they left the office together. Lee felt proud and excited. He looked forward to his next season at the arcade.

 Lee had a deep belief in spirituality in all of its forms, encompassing a broad concept of belief in beyond the self, striving to answer questions about the meaning of life, human connections, truths about the universe, and other mysteries of existence. "Our Boy Lee was like a cosmic mixtape – part philosopher, part stargazer, and all-around seeker of celestial snacks. Armed with a telescope and a subscription to the Galactic Gazette, Lee embarked on a quest to unravel the universe’s juiciest secrets.
First, the meaning of life. Lee pondered it over a plate of intergalactic nachos (with extra queso, of course). Was existence just a grand cosmic game show? Were black holes the universe’s way of saying, ‘Oops, dropped my keys again’?
Next up: human connections. Lee believed we’re all stardust Tinder profiles, swiping right across light-years. ‘Hey there, supernova! Seeking a nebulous companion for cosmic cuddles and existential banter.’
And the truths of the universe? Oh, Lee had theories! The moon landing? Was certainly not filmed on a soundstage in Area 51, right next to the alien karaoke bar. The Bermuda Triangle? Might have been a cosmic escape hatch for interdimensional tourists.
As for other mysteries of existence, Lee thought some unexplainable crop circles were intergalactic postcards – ‘Wish you were here, probing our cows!’ And déjà vu? Just the universe hitting the ‘shuffle’ button on its playlist of reality.
So, my fellow cosmic travellers, let us raise our quills (or styluses, if you’re feeling digital) to Lee – the Neil deGrasse Tyson of tea leaves, the Carl Sagan of cryptids, the Douglas Adams of astral travel. May Lee’s cosmic curiosity continue to ripple through the fabric of existence, like a metaphysical belly laugh echoing across the multiverse."
 When Lee shared the heart-wrenching news that his cancer was terminal, our world shattered. The weight of that prognosis pressed upon us, threatening to drown us in grief. But Lee, our beloved son, was made of sterner stuff. His spirit remained unyielding, and he faced the storm with a resilience that defied the darkness.

Lee, with his trademark wit and irreverence, turned the sombre into the absurd. He cracked jokes about his own mortality, leaving us both bewildered and amused. It was as if he had a secret pact with fate—a pact that allowed him to dance on the precipice of life and death, twirling with gallows humour.

His positivity was infectious. Even in the bleakest moments, Lee found the silver lining. He’d tilt his head, squint at the horizon, and declare, “There’s always a way out, a glimmer of hope.” And suddenly, the room would brighten, as if he’d conjured sunlight from thin air.

Lee’s gift was seeing the good in everyone. He’d find a redeeming quality even in the most flawed souls. “We’re all works in progress,” he’d say, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Maybe they’re just a few brushstrokes away from their masterpiece.”

As parents, we watched in awe. Our hearts swelled with pride as Lee navigated this treacherous journey. He didn’t merely endure; he thrived. His courage was a beacon, guiding us through the tempest. We learned from him—the art of living, the grace of acceptance, and the strength to find joy amidst sorrow.

Lee, our son, you’ve etched your legacy in our hearts. Your laughter echoes in the corridors of our memories, and your indomitable spirit fuels our resolve. We are proud—proud of the way you faced your prognosis, proud of the love you showered upon us, and proud of the light you brought to our lives.

Rest now, dear Lee, for your battle is over. But your legacy? It lives on, radiant as ever, casting its glow upon those who knew you. Farewell, our brave soul. May the silver linings guide you to eternal
peace. 🌟🌿
        Om   Mani   Padme   Hum