Ernest J.

ATHOL - Ernest J. Lee, 83 of 369 Cottage St., Athol, died peacefully Friday, April 12, 2013 in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA surrounded by his family. He was born in Erving, MA, on October 6, 1929, the son of the late Giles G. and the late Ethel (Bridge) Lee. Mr. Lee married Gladys A. Morandi on Nov. 28, 1953. He attended schools in Athol and Orange. He served in the Navy from Jan 1947 to Sept 1966 as an aviation boatswain’s mate and retired as a 1st Class Petty Officer.  He served on several aircraft carriers including the U.S.S. Bennington, U.S.S. Coral Sea and the U.S.S. Midway and travelled the world many times.  He was a veteran of both the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. After he retired from the Navy, he returned to Athol where Ernie and Gladys owned and operated several local businesses to include Kentucky Fried Chicken, LeRoys Café, Pequoig Lounge, The Coat of Arms Restaurant, Athol Lobster House, Athol Steak House and Athol Taxi.   He then worked as a stockroom clerk at T.J. Maxx in Worcester until his retirement in 1995. Ernie loved spending time with his wife of 56 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was excellent cook and enjoyed woodworking in his retirement years.  He enjoyed going to breakfast and could often be seen enjoying the hospitality and the blueberry pancakes and real maple syrup at Johnsons Farm.  Ernie had a wonderful smile that could light up a room and was loved by all. He was a member of the VFW in Athol, the American Legion of Athol, and was a lifetime member of the Franco-American Club and the Lithuanian Naturalization Club. He leaves one daughter, Linda M. Rogowski and her husband Joseph of Barre; two sons, LCDR (retired) Ernest J. Lee, Jr. and his wife Linda of Danielson, CT, MAJ (retired) Edward J. Lee and his wife Linda of Athol; one sister, Marie A. Rathburn of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Richard E. Lee of Orange; ten grandchildren, SSgt Robert Rogowski and Emily Rogowski of Barre, MA; Andrew Lee , Jeffrey Lee, Joseph Lee and Erin Lee of Danielson, CT; James Lee, Michael Lee, Jonathan and Lindsey Lee of Athol; and four great-grandchildren, Ryan Lee; Abigail Rogowski; Ava Rogowski, Isla Neylon and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Gladys A. (Morandi) Lee who died in 2010, by three brothers, George H. Lee, James M. Lee, Walter I. Lee, and by two sisters, Lucille Britt and Ruby Graves and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Lee. Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Athol Animal Control & Shelter or to a charity of one’s choice. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskemurphymack.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });