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
I am so sorry about Lee’s passing. My thoughts are with you Thelma and the whole Wright family.
I want to share my story of how Lee had such a profound influence on my life.
It started sixty years ago in 1966 on a fateful day when I was in grade 6 walking home from U-Hill Elementary school with a friend. My friend couldn’t hang out after school because he was going to “field hockey” practice. I was a soccer player and had never heard of field hockey. My friend asked me to come along to practice so I did. The practice was at the old Spencer Field where the Gage Towers are now. The coach was Lee. He put a stick in my hand and away I went. I scored three goals and a field hockey player was born. I came from humble beginnings and was rough around the edges (still am in some ways), but Lee saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and encouraged me and mentored me not only in field hockey but in my life. He opened up possibilities that I never imagined. The opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. The possibility of travel and even competing in the Olympics one day. I was a gifted field hockey player and Lee saw that and supported me and encouraged me to apply myself to be the best I could be at the game. My first travel experience was in 1968 with the BC Team to the Junior Canadian U-16 National Championships in Winnipeg. I was hooked.
Unfortunately, I moved to Calgary in 1968 and that easily could have been the end of my field hockey days as I was into ice hockey, basketball and soccer. But Lee kept in touch and encouraged me to keep playing. He would invite me to come to Vancouver and play in tournaments. I would hitch hike from Calgary to Vancouver and stay at Lee’s house. One time while I was there I was out at U-Hill party and it was getting late so I thought I should let Lee know I was okay. I called and woke Lee’s mom Edna up which didn’t go down very well.
After two years in Calgary, I moved back to Vancouver and Lee continued to keep me connected to field hockey even though my main sports were basketball and soccer. He encouraged me to go to UBC so I could play there and I did. That is when my field hockey career took off as the National team was based at UBC and I benefited from the coaching and high level of play. I made the National team as part of the youth movement for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Lee was a senior member of the team and continued to mentor and encourage me. We played together on the 1976 Olympic team which was a highlight of my career. I went on to captain the 1984 Olympic team and have been honoured by being inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame and into the Field Hockey Canada Hall of Fame.
After our playing days we remained friends and had a shared interests in field hockey, finance, current affairs and golf.
But the story doesn’t end there. Both of my children played field hockey to the National team level. My son met his wife through field hockey and my daughter was recruited to play field hockey at Yale.
All of this because I went to a field hockey practise with a friend. Lee was instrumental in my life in so many ways and I will be forever grateful. He will be missed.
To the Wright Family, Megan, Annie and I have been thinking of you all as you have celebrated the life of Lee. Your grief will be eased by the enduring memories and the legacy Lee leaves in your hearts and souls. His loss is immense but his love for Thelma, Lindsay, Anthony, Philip and Gillian and his beloved grandchildren will never fade.
Love and hugs: Mick, Megan and Annie
I came to U-Hill school in grade 4 and Lee was in my class. He was my best friend through the years to graduation and playing field hockey on the same teams for many years afterwards. My heartfelt condolences to Thelma and families on his passing. I will never forget Lee. I wish that I could attend the Celebration of Life at UBC on March 26, 2026. I will never forget Lee.
Dear Thelma,
Our heartfelt condolences to you and the entire Wright family. So many memories ~ lots of laughter, dinners, reminiscing and great conversations, the August birthday celebrations, sharing our love of gardening and our last dinner with you and Lee to celebrate our wedding anniversary in September ~ just to name a few and now all the more treasured. We miss our friend and will always remember him with love and a smile.
Glenn & Kathi
Thelma & Family, Bill & I are sad to hear of Lee’s passing but know what a wonderful life he had and the amazing legacy he leaves behind. We are grateful we had some great visits with you both when you were in Victoria. You were so loving & caring as Alzheimer’s slowly robbed his magnificent mind. He will be missed by us and everyone whose lives he touched. Love to you and your family. Bill & Anna
My Sympathies to you, Thelma, your children and the Grans. Lee was a wonderful leader; full of humour and positivity; most of the time! Great memories playing hockey with him. His sense of humour on Tour sticks with me. He did a great Sales job convincing Scott Tupper to continue with Field Hockey; otherwise he could have stayed on the Ice. His legacy will live on through Harold Wright Field.
Blessing, Ken