'Long-time friend' Lee

Mom emailed me the news that Lee, the life-partner of my Uncle Buddy, died this past week at the age of 88.  A few days ago, Mom and her niece, Naomi, drove into the city hoping to visit with him, but Lee wasn't at home when they arrived.  Mom found out through a neighbor that Lee was back in the hospital and not doing well.  He died later that day. 

When I was a kid, Lee and Buddy came for occasional visits to our house in Pacifica, and, when I was a bit older, Mom and I would make the odd trip to their place up on Nob Hill.  Like my paternal Uncle Gerry, and, his partner, 'Uncle' Ric, Lee and Buddy had been together since before I was born.  Of a slightly older generation than that of Gerry and Ric, I can't say that Lee and Buddy were ever truly out of the closet, but they were never quite really in it either.  They just were who they were.  They never talked of the nature of their relationship.  (Nor did I ask.)  They were simply two people who'd decided to spend their lives together.

Today, I had the thought that maybe Lee's obituary would already have been posted in the local paper, so I decided to type Lee's name into the search engine in the hopes of finding something.  Nothing came up.  I then typed into the computer both Lee and Buddy's full names and found the 1998 listing for Uncle Buddy's obituary in a Salt Lake City newspaper.  Lee hailed from Salt Lake and I had not remembered that Buddy was buried there until re-reading the obit.  Lee had written Buddy's obituary where he had listed himself as 'long-time friend'.  Obviously, Lee had been more than that.  He was a part of our family.  He loved my Grandma and got along well with everyone in the family, even my homophobic Aunt Darlene.  Lee had taken good care of Buddy both financially and emotionally, especially during Buddy's final years, and never had a bad word to say about anyone.  He will be missed.

24.10.13 update:  Lee's obituary from the San Francisco Chronicle, 10 October.

Lawrence Bath

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Lawrence Lee Bath Lee passed away on October 4th after a brief illiness, he was 88 years old. Lee was a graduate of the University of Idaho and Veteran of WWII. He was a very kind gentleman who loved caring for dogs. He loved his apartment on Nob Hill and his many friends. He will be missed by his friends and extended families. A celebration of his life will include a scattering of his remains at sea for family and friends.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=lawrence-bath&pid=167538600#sthash.dr28vhDC.dpuf

 Lawrence Lee Bath

Lee passed away after a brief illness.  He was 88 years old.  Lee was a graduate of the University of Idaho and a veteran of WWII.  He was a very kind gentleman who loved caring for dogs.  He loved his apartment on Nob Hill and his many friends and extended family.  A celebration of his life will include a scattering of his remains at sea involving family and friends.

So long, Lee.

Lawrence Lee Bath Lee passed away on October 4th after a brief illiness, he was 88 years old. Lee was a graduate of the University of Idaho and Veteran of WWII. He was a very kind gentleman who loved caring for dogs. He loved his apartment on Nob Hill and his many friends. He will be missed by his friends and extended families. A celebration of his life will include a scattering of his remains at sea for family and friends.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=lawrence-bath&pid=167538600#sthash.dr28vhDC.dpuf

Lawrence Lee Bath Lee passed away on October 4th after a brief illiness, he was 88 years old. Lee was a graduate of the University of Idaho and Veteran of WWII. He was a very kind gentleman who loved caring for dogs. He loved his apartment on Nob Hill and his many friends. He will be missed by his friends and extended families. A celebration of his life will include a scattering of his remains at sea for family and friends.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=lawrence-bath&pid=167538600#sthash.dr28vhDC.dpuf

Lawrence Bath

Death Notice

Guest Book

Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for Lawrence Bath.

View Sign

Lawrence Lee Bath Lee passed away on October 4th after a brief illiness, he was 88 years old. Lee was a graduate of the University of Idaho and Veteran of WWII. He was a very kind gentleman who loved caring for dogs. He loved his apartment on Nob Hill and his many friends. He will be missed by his friends and extended families. A celebration of his life will include a scattering of his remains at sea for family and friends.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sfgate/obituary.aspx?n=lawrence-bath&pid=167538600#sthash.dr28vhDC.dpuf