NOANK-Captain Stephen Bacon Lee, USN retired, of 44 Hillside Avenue, Noank died Wednesday at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton.
He was born in Washington, DC on June 18, 1915 the son of James I. Lee, Jr. and Clara B. (Bacon) Lee. Capt. Lee comes from a distinguished family that counts Harry “Lighthorse” Lee and Confederate General Robert E. Lee among his ancestors.
He received his BA degree at the College of Washington and Lee and his Masters Degree from George Washington University.
He served 28 years in the Navy before retiring with the rank of Captain. His career spanned the globe, with duty in such places as Paris, Maui, Germany, the Rivera and Connecticut. He returned to Noank in 1971 and was active in real estate from 1974-1979.
He married the former Hildegard F. Rossmann in 1979.
Capt. Lee was recognized for his contributions over the years as a Navy Family Service Center Volunteer. He served as Director, Retired Activities Office at the Submarine Base.
He was employed at the Mystic Seaport Museum from 1971-1973 as Supervisor of Visitors Reception and was a volunteer from 1973 until the present. In 1981 he was honored for 420 hours of voluntary service, the highest individual hours that year. He initiated the idea of an Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous, which became one of the Museums most popular annual events.
Capt. Lee was elected to membership in the Mystic Rotary Club in 1971 and served as President in 1975. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 1981.
He was honored in 1985 with the Mystic Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award.
Capt. Lee’s other efforts included Director of Civil Defense for the Town of Groton, Chairman of the four town Bicentennial Committees for Stonington, North Stonington, Ledyard and Groton for joint events, past president of the Nathan Hale Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, past president of the Noank Historical Society, Past Commodore and historian of the Ram Island Yacht Club and held membership in the New York Yacht Club, Philadelphia's Corinthian Yacht Club and Club de la Voile de Villefranche on the Riviera. He was a past board member of the Mystic Depot, the Mystic-Noank Library, the Mystic Art Association and the Indian and Colonial Research Center.
In addition to his wife, he survived by his nephew Dr. James Lee of Boston. He was predeceased by his only son, Stephen B. Lee, Jr. his first wife Helen Louise Lee and his brother Admiral James R. Lee.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at 11:00 AM at the Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights, Noank. There are no visiting hours.
Contributions in Captain Lee’s memory may be made to may be made to the Rotary Club of Mystic Scholarship Fund, PO Box 153, Mystic CT 06355 or the Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT 06355