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Gary Lee Date of Birth: August 26, 1939 Department: Telecommunications /Voice Data Position: Vice President of Cantor Fitzgerald/General Manager of eSpeed BIG GARY LIVED HIS LIFE WITH A SIMPLE ROUTINE Recently the family and friends of the Lee family gathered together to say goodbye to Gary Hamilton Lee. In our gathering instead of simply mourning Gary’s passing, we came together to celebrate his life. Although our family may never fully understand the circumstances that surrounded 11 September 2001, in the days since the tragedy we have come to fully recognize all that Gary contributed to each of our lives. Whether he was known to us as Uncle Dude, Big Gary or Pop Pop the lives he touched while on this earth will only be the better for the chance they had to spend with Gary. Gary, had just celebrated his 62nd birthday and his 40th wedding anniversary. Gary was a simple, quiet and extremely intelligent man that added a touch of sarcastic humor to his conversations and had knack for putting a smile on your face. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His love for all the children in his life was unconditional. However, the apple of his eye was his one granddaughter, Julia Nicole, his Ju Ju. It was often amusing to see Gary in his element with 3-year old Julia. Whether it was riding around in a Barbie jeep or blowing their duck whistles at the Long Island ducks game, it was sometimes difficult to tell who was the bigger child, but Gary’s love and absolute adoration of Ju Ju was always apparent. Gary lived his life with a simple routine. He was a collector of stamps, eagles, bayonets and baseball cards. He had a particular passion for his 1948 Studebaker. There was not a Sunday during football season that Gary wasn’t at a game that his son was coaching or Michael John, another special child in his life, played. Gary was such a simple man that barely ever boasted of his achievements that much of his family never knew that he was a Vice President of TeleCommunications at Cantor Fitzgerald and General Manager of Voice Data for ESpeed. We just knew he was dedicated and loved his work at the World Trade Center. Gary touched us all in very different ways. Parts of him will live forever in each of our memories. Between us all we have learned what made Gary the wonderful man he was. The outpouring of support from his friends and colleagues has given his family such comfort in the past weeks. Hearing their stories of Gary at work and how he was a hard worker and great colleague allows us to feel close to him again. Although Gary often got annoyed at people taking tons of pictures, we later found out that Gary had saved every picture and card his family gave him. As Gary saved and preserved the memories he thought he would look back at in years to come, we too must treasure the happy memories we have of Gary to not only provide comfort through this unspeakable loss; but most importantly to remind Julia as she gets older of the wonderful Grandfather that had loved her so. That is what Gary would have wanted. As his granddaughter Julia said, “Pop Pop is an angel now with big wings to keep him warm”. Gary Hamilton Lee is gone but he will never be forgotten. God bless all our family and friends, and God bless America.
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BIG GARY LIVED HIS LIFE WITH A SIMPLE ROUTINE
Recently the family and friends of the Lee family gathered together to say goodbye to Gary Hamilton Lee. In our gathering instead of simply mourning Gary’s passing, we came together to celebrate his life. Although our family may never fully understand the circumstances that surrounded 11 September 2001, in the days since the tragedy we have come to fully recognize all that Gary contributed to each of our lives. Whether he was known to us as Uncle Dude, Big Gary or Pop Pop the lives he touched while on this earth will only be the better for the chance they had to spend with Gary.
Gary, had just celebrated his 62nd birthday and his 40th wedding anniversary. Gary was a simple, quiet and extremely intelligent man that added a touch of sarcastic humor to his conversations and had knack for putting a smile on your face. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His love for all the children in his life was unconditional. However, the apple of his eye was his one granddaughter, Julia Nicole, his Ju Ju. It was often amusing to see Gary in his element with 3-year old Julia. Whether it was riding around in a Barbie jeep or blowing their duck whistles at the Long Island ducks game, it was sometimes difficult to tell who was the bigger child, but Gary’s love and absolute adoration of Ju Ju was always apparent.
Gary lived his life with a simple routine. He was a collector of stamps, eagles, bayonets and baseball cards. He had a particular passion for his 1948 Studebaker. There was not a Sunday during football season that Gary wasn’t at a game that his son was coaching or Michael John, another special child in his life, played. Gary was such a simple man that barely ever boasted of his achievements that much of his family never knew that he was a Vice President of TeleCommunications at Cantor Fitzgerald and General Manager of Voice Data for ESpeed. We just knew he was dedicated and loved his work at the World Trade Center.
Gary touched us all in very different ways. Parts of him will live forever in each of our memories. Between us all we have learned what made Gary the wonderful man he was. The outpouring of support from his friends and colleagues has given his family such comfort in the past weeks. Hearing their stories of Gary at work and how he was a hard worker and great colleague allows us to feel close to him again.
Although Gary often got annoyed at people taking tons of pictures, we later found out that Gary had saved every picture and card his family gave him. As Gary saved and preserved the memories he thought he would look back at in years to come, we too must treasure the happy memories we have of Gary to not only provide comfort through this unspeakable loss; but most importantly to remind Julia as she gets older of the wonderful Grandfather that had loved her so. That is what Gary would have wanted. As his granddaughter Julia said, “Pop Pop is an angel now with big wings to keep him warm”. Gary Hamilton Lee is gone but he will never be forgotten. God bless all our family and friends, and God bless America.
I had the pleasure to know Garry. First as a Co-worker and not long after he became a friend. He loved his work and was very good at it. He did love his family very much. He would talk often about his granddaughter or his son in the Marines. I have a great deal of respect for Garry, not just for his work ethic but for his desire to experience life. From the Ozarks to Graceland, I always enjoyed hearing about his travels. My heart goes out to his family; I will never forget him.
I had the honor of working with Gary Lee for 3 years in the communications dept. at Cantor. He was so dedicated. I remember he was always the first to arrive at 7:10AM, faithfully, and some of us would tease him because he never took any vacation time. Gary also had a great sense of humor. There was not a day that went by where he did’t put a smile on my face. God Bless your family, especially your precious grandaughter. Heaven became a far better place the moment you arrived. It was a privilege to know you. May you rest in peace.
Gary you were a great boss and an even better man. Thank you for putting up with me and solving all my problems. Every time I see a purple Studebaker I will think of you and smile!
God has a good man to laugh with up there.
Gary,
Very few individuals can make strong impacts on people’s life with a soft touch like you did. When I encountered issues, both personally and professionally I sought your guidance and you were there. Thanks Again! Knowing you also meant learning to laugh at all aspects of life such as working, relaxing or just simply growing older. You encouraged and helped us to bring the best to all aspects of our lives. I was privileged to have share time with you as a co-worker and as a friend. You were always a true friend, a true professional.
I had the pleasure as a salesperson of meeting Gary Lee in the Summer of ’00. Although I presented a product and company that was entirely preposterous in it’s business proposition, Mr. Lee was kind enough to give us his time and his attention. Even though he knew our product was undeliverable, nonetheless he agreed to buy it, if we could actually deliver it, and never rubbed our faces in the absurdity of it all.
I spent a lot of time in the WTC as a Salesperson in the summer of ’00. I had an opportunity to meet a lot of good people. Gary Lee was one of them.
Rest in Peace.
Paul Hauser
Gary-
You led by example. Your attention to detail and work ethic made me want to do my job better. You will be missed. Men like you do not come along everyday. You will always be in my prayers.
Glee – that’s what he signed on his emails, and so what some of us fondly call him.
Gary was a fun guy to be with. He always had a smile on his face. Every time he’d walk into the Network Group’s room he’d pretend to take attendance, taking notice of who was late or who recently took a day off. Before my wife and I took a vacation in Paris, he told me one of the most important French words I need to know to survive in Paris – SORTEE. I always give him credit for that. And who could forget the “blunder bus??
You will always be remembered, Glee.
When I think back to the most enjoyable times during my last few years as Cantor, they usually include moments spent with Gary and the rest of the Support Services team.
I used to love to listen to Gary and his long-time friend Richard Bettig go at it over some obscure telcomm issue! They had both been in the business for so many years, having such an in-depth knowledge of the industry, and neither was afraid to voice his opinion!
Gary loved to play the market and to take trips to Atlantic City. He would get so jealous if I told him I was going out to Vegas on vacation!
Yet, all joking aside, there was another side to Gary. When he spoke about time he spent with his family – especially his grandaughter – his eyes would just light up; she brought him so much joy.
He was a true friend and I will miss him.
I met Gary as I was beginning my career in the professional world. While I may have not yet looked the part, Gary accepted me for who I was and always made me look forward to returning to Cantor during winter and summer breaks. To this day, I remember stories Gary used to tell me. His enthusiasm for life will be missed.
I had limited dealing with Gary, working at Cantors London office, however when we did have cause to communicate he was always courteous and that sense of humour always shone through. As I watched the tragedy unfold, my immediate thoughts were of Gary, and that hopefully he managed to get out.
As the weeks went by, I logged onto the cantors web site hoping for confirmation that he was OK. Unfortunately it was not to be.
Three weeks ago I revisited the site and was moved by the tributes to Gary, and felt compelled to pay my respects and pass on my sympathies to his family.
I had the pleasure of working with Gary at two different companies, once at a telecomms carrier and later at Cantors. Both occasions were a delight – an intelligent man of simple needs and very personable, he was always great company. I learnt many things from Gary, some work related, much personal. Professional, caring and perceptive – a terrible loss to the world. I too knew him as Glee and shall always remember him as such with great affection.
I worked for and with Gary Lee when he was a Director of Sales at TRT/FTC Communications in 1990 and then when he started at Cantor Fitzgerald I handled the Cantor Fitzgerald account. To me Gary was my dutch uncle, always guiding me and helping me. First in Selling, and then giving me advice on changing jobs. He was great to work for and with, and I will never forget him. My best wishes to his wife, son, daughter in law and grand daughter.
I will always remember going up to Cantor to test this one voice circuit to Milan.Gary would meet me on 105 floor and escort me to the 106 floor location.He was always cheerful and would show me in and tell me to call with the results before I left.In the several times I visited he was always pleasant even though I was unable to get the circuit working he realised I was doing my best,and able to joke about it too.Later when I went to work for Ixnet Gary was still the man to call at Cantor.My heart goes out to all his family and friends.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Gary Lee on a regular basis from May 2001 through September 2001. I met him for the first time at the beginning of August 2001. It took 10 calls for him to finally agree to give me an appointment. He complimented my persistence and we both shared a laugh. I was supposed to come back at the end of September and see Gary with a proposal. I tribute a lot of my success in sales to my meeting Gary Lee. I had never called on such a big company before and he relaxed me and helped me tremendously.
Gary I will never forget you or the guidance and knowledge you passed on to me. Most of all I will NEVER forget you.
I had the opportunity to work with Gary while at MFS from 1994-1999. His good nature, sense of humor and industry knowledge made doing business with Cantor a pleasure.
Gary was a mentor to the sales team who helped MFS earn credibility during the company’s early years. I always enjoyed working with Gary and learned much from the many conversations we had. Gary was certainly an accomplished professional, but more importantly he was a good person. Rest in Peace Gary, you will be missed.
When Gary hired me in April of 97 I thought I knew everything about communications and life. After being in Gary’s close company everyday (we were the only 2 supporting voice comm at the time and we worked 2gether on any and all projects), I soon realized how much more I needed to learn…especially on issues regarding life experience’s. Gary always put things in the correct prospective. His work ethic and dedication were unmatched. You could set your clock by his 7:10 arrival at work EVERYDAY. His unique sense of humour and stories provided needed “levity” in a sometime chaotic atomshere! He was always holding court in his office. As my boss I grew to admire and respect Gary greatly, yet he never made me feel like a subordinate.
Heaven is a better place w/Gary there.
I miss him, his friend Rocco
During the 1980’s I worked for the UK office of FTCC and Gary was the man that came over the pond a couple of times a year and gave us our regular injections of enthusiasm and American reality. He was a great guy to work with, sharp enough to deal with the most difficult of customers and
patient enough to try and teach an Englishman (me) the subtlies of Baseball.
I never got to understand baseball, but I did learn a lot about people from Gary’s excellent example.
Never forget.
Rest well Gary. You’re always in my thoughts. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. We still miss you Glee.