Lee left us peacefully surrounded by family in Victoria, BC, at age 81, after a long and courageous struggle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Vancouver to Harold and Edna Wright, he is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Thelma; his four children, Lindsay (Adam), Anthony (Tessa), Philip (Kate), and Gillian (Nickolas); nine beloved grandchildren, Zoë, James, Charlie, Sadie, Lachlan, Liam, Sophie, Jack and Oliver; and his siblings Linda Dennison, Jamie Wright and families.
Lee graduated from UHill Secondary (1962) and UBC (1966), before earning a Master of Arts in physical education at USC (1968). He taught in West Vancouver and Surrey before a long and successful career as a financial advisor, most recently with CIBC Wood Gundy. He was a longtime member of Point Grey Golf & Country Club and a lifetime member of the Vancouver Hawks Field Hockey Club.
A proud Olympian, Lee represented Canada in field hockey at the 1964 Tokyo and 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, following in the footsteps of his father, Harold, who competed in athletics at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. He was inducted twice into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame—first in 2019 as an outstanding athlete, and again in 2021 as part of the 1965–66 Field Hockey Team.
Lee will be remembered for his lifelong passion and deep commitment to amateur sport—coaching, mentoring, and creating opportunities for young athletes to experience the rich friendships and formative moments that shaped his own life. Among his proudest legacies were spearheading the establishment of Wright Field at UBC (revitalizing the university’s field hockey program), leading a Hawks schoolboy team to Australia in 2001 (echoing his own memorable Hawks 1969 tour), watching many of the athletes he supported go on to represent Canada, and—above all—instilling in his children the same love of sport, travel and achievement.
For many, Lee will be remembered for his generosity, storytelling, dry humour and stubborn determination. For us, he was the champion of our close-knit family—always finding ways to encourage, guide, and support us through our own adventures. He was steadfast in his love and care for his wife, his children, and especially his grandchildren, who brought him such joy to the very end. He will be profoundly missed.
Donations can be made to the Lee Wright Legacy Fund: http://vancouverfoundation.ca/leewright
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 2:00pm, at the University Golf Club, 5185 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1X5.
Condolences may be offered to family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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16 Responses
Dear Thelma and family,
My condolences to you and your family on the death of Lee. We met in the 1970s when I was an elementary school teacher in Surrey and Lee was a P.E. teacher. He came to my school to give advice on teaching P.E. I also knew him from cross country running. In a way Lee was a role model for me when he left teaching in the 1980s to go into finance. In 1987 I left teaching to go to law school at UBC. I figured if Lee could do it so could I and I remember running into into him when I was practising downtown law in the 1990s.
Dear Thelma and family.
We were so sad to learn of Lee’s passing. There were so many memories of hockey and golf, but most of all of Lee’s unique personality and the values he instilled in many others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Thelma and family. We send you our deepest condolences at this sad time. We have many fond memories of happy times with Lee. He will be sorely missed by us. We send you all our love.
I will remember Lee for his zest for family, sport and teammates. With friends, I was grateful to share stories and photos with him over Zoom in November.
Our heartfelt condolences to Thelma, Anthony, Philip, Gillian and Lindsay.
I was sad to hear of Lee’s passing and I have so many memories of Lee at the hockey field and his significant contribution to UBC field hockey program. Wright Field resurrected Men’s Field Hocky at UBC and Lee has left a lasting legacy.
All of you are in our thoughts.
With warm regards,
Arif, Diane & Shiaz Virjee
So saddened to hear of Lee’s passing. Many, many fond memories of time spent together over the years. Sincere condolences to Thelma and family.
RIP LEE
Dear Thelma and families,
Lee was a storied and charismatic individual whose path crossed with mine in so many ways over the decades: With Thelma at prenatal class (way back when), in the investment industry as rookies, colleagues for a time, then silver haired veterans on the street , and for years at Point Grey Golf Club. His dry humour was expressed on so many occasions it would be hard to pick just one occasion as a standout. Our deepest sympathies to all in the family at this sad time in your lives. Remember Lee for his many notable accomplishments that were far above what most others could only dream of doing !
I’ll raise a glass in remembering him.
Gary and Jane
Dearest Thelma and all the family- So sorry for your loss- I will forever see you all around the dining room table together with Lee at the head- perhaps pouring some wine and definitely sharing a story:) So much love and adventure together in your lovely lively growing family always with Thelma and Lee in the centre. I’m so grateful to have been able to join you over these years. Lee stays forever in our hearts and his energy and zest for sport and life and family lives forever in all of you❤️
Oh my dear Thelma & families!!! Heartfelt sympathy to all of you! Lee left behind such a wonderful family and memories! We will all miss him! Forever grateful for our friendship! Love and hugs, Zeke and Wanda