Randall “Randy” Lee passed away peacefully on October 9, 2023 at Royal Jubilee Hospital, waiting for a brief lapse in the family guard before exiting on his own terms–quietly and privately. He was 71 years old.
Randy was born on September 3, 1952 in Victoria, B.C., the middle child of Jack and Lillian Lee. Intelligent and easy going, his early life was characterized by academic excellence and a fondness for golf. On many mornings, he could be found sneaking in a few holes before school with his (eventually lifelong) buddies at Uplands Golf Club, where he was a member for over 60 years.
After graduating from high school at 16, Randy completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC. The following years in Vancouver were “formative” for Randy as he became a successful sales rep for Xerox and added skiing, sports cars and a general disregard for personal health to his interests.
Randy’s middle years were defined by his commitment to managing the family business, contributions to his community and devotion to his family. Taking over for his father in 1977, Randy managed Chinese Village for over 20 years. He also served on multiple Boards of Directors across the foodservice and tourism sectors, and in 1989 he received a B.C. Restaurateur of the Year.
He met and married his match and the love of his life, Leslie, in 1982, and welcomed two children: Brett and Lauren. With kids in tow, Randy retired his Porsches but kept his fishing boats. The Lees created many fond memories fishing and boating together over the years.
Randy was not overly effusive, preferring to express his love for others in the kitchen. He took great joy in gathering people together for restaurant-grade home cooked meals, or sending guests off with a completely unnecessary number of treats. He was “the ultimate host.”
After Chinese Village closed, Randy found his dream job at the West Coast Fishing Club, uniting his passion for fishing with his aptitude for sales. Randy dedicated more time to his family and his golf swing. His skills in meticulously running the household improved significantly; his golf swing not so much.
Once retired, Randy and Leslie played golf together, became snowbirds and even traveled to a couple places without a Costco. He became a grandfather–or “Gu Gu” as he was dubbed–to four granddaughters. And despite privately battling multiple forms of cancer in his last few years of life, he continued to focus on his family until the very end. He’ll be remembered for his wicked sense of humour and quick wit, as embodied by his infamous limericks and Top 10 lists. Randy would be too humble to acknowledge it, but he was a great man: a devoted husband, a loving father and a generous human to everyone around him.
Randy is survived by his wife Leslie; two siblings: Barbara (Eugene) and Robert (Karina); two children: Brett (Sydney) and Lauren (Jack); four grandchildren: Devin, Eva, Sabine and Maisie; eleven nieces and nephews; and one geriatric dog: Bubba.
Randy’s family wishes to thank the nursing staff of 5 North at Royal Jubilee Hospital for their tireless and compassionate care. His family requests that donations be made to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation or the BC Cancer Foundation in lieu of flowers.
A Celebration of Life for Randy will be held on January 20, 2024, at Uplands Golf Course, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria, BC, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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64 Responses
Dear Leslie,
Please accept our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your beloved Randy. He was a man of great wisdom, humility and kindness, and is already greatly missed.
Leslie, I am heart broken to have read of Randy’s passing. Such a lovely man taken too soon. Randy, you & the Lee family bring back so many fond memories of my time in the “Restaurant” business and all the fabulous meals & laughs we had at “Chinese Village Restaurant”, makes me so sad.
Randy was not only a “Great Host” and manager, put a super friend.
Bev & I miss those great evenings at the CVR
Take care, Bob & Bev
Leslie and Family,
Sending my sincere condolences to all in the loss of Randy. I met Randy at Uplands Golf Course and can’t say enough what a great guy he was. R.I.P. Friend
Sincerely Jay Chudleigh
Dear Leslie and family, We wish it. Send you and the family our deepest sympachy on the loss of our Dear Randy. Back in the day I can still see his big beautiful smile when we looked over the fence at you two beautiful people. Our kids loved to peek at that great guy and lovely girl you two were their heros’.
Randy will be greatly missed
Our best to you all. Love Jack and Donna Schaddelee and family
Dear Leslie Brett and Lauren. I am so sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. He was a an amazing person! I will always remember all the wonderful dinners we all shared not to mention those summer vacations at Parksville which were always so much fun and laughter cheating at Pictionary and listening to all our baby monitors to see whose child was crying ! Rest now my friend and know you will always remain apart of this families memories ♥️. To Leslie and family we send all our love
Leslie and family,
It is with a great deal of sadness that John and I read that wonderful tribute to Randy in the newspaper this morning. I had the pleasure of attending high school with him and also had the privilege of working with Leslie at Bayside Middle School in a team teaching capacity for a number of years.
My memories of his high school years and the stories Leslie shared with me during our teaching time together reinforced that he was a very funny, caring man and a great father and true partner to Leslie. In later years, our little group of Donna, Lorraine, Marg, Sharry, Bea and I would hold our Christmas dinners at the Chinese Village where Randy would order us special dishes and take the time to make us feel welcome and celebrated. It is a tribute to Randy that I will remember his positive approach to all he did and how his many kindnesses impacted those around him.
Dear Leslie, Lauren and Brett’
Our sincere condolences on Randy’s untimely passing. He fought his health issues with great courage and grace.
It was so nice to have had the opportunity to chat with hm prior to your returning to Victoria after your Toronto visit in early September.
We fondly remember our visits to Victoria to see Nellie, brother Ed, you and Randy and experiencing your family’s generous hospitality and Randy’s culinary skills.
I, personally, cherish the memories of Randy’s laid back wit and humour, golfing at Uplands, dining at the Chinese Village and returning home with pounds of salmon for distribution to the Toronto Lee’s.
Rest in peace, Randy. We miss you dearly.
Love,
Aunt Grace and Uncle Dave
Randy was a wonderful man. Great sense of humor.
He will truly be missed. Condolences to Leslie and
the family.
I am so sorry to hear of Randy passing. We did a lot of fishing together in Bamfield, while we were both in the restaurant business.Randy had a wicked sense of humour. We served on the board of the restaurant association.We did not see each other, in the later years, but I will miss him. RIP
Leslie we are truly saddened by your loss. Although we didn’t know Randy personally we knew him through your funny reflections of him while we were playing golf together. Our heartfelt condolences