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Fr. Robert Emmett Lee

Robert Lee Obituary

Lee O.Car, Father Robert Emmett "May 1, 2003, Darien, IL,". The Order Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary under the direction of the Very Reverend John F. Russell Prior Provincial is saddened to report that Carmelite Father, The Rev. Robert Emmett Lee, died on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at the age of 75. Visitation for Father Lee who was known for his many years of ministry with the Lay Carmelites, will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2003, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at The National Shrine of St. Therese, 8501 Bailey Rd., Darien, IL. A wake service will follow the visitation at 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2003, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 8404 Cass Ave., Darien, IL. The Very Reverend John F. Russell, O.Carm., S.T.D. Prior Provincial will be the Celebrant. The Rev. Gavin Quinn, O.Carm., Pastor of Our of Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Darien, IL, will be the Homilist. Father Lee was born in Chicago, IL, on April 6, 1928. Robert was the eldest of three sons, William and the late James and two daughters, Geraldine (O'Donnell) and Mary Helen (Waters) of the late Robert Edward Lee and Jeannette (Lowe) Lee of Chicago, also many nieces and nephews. He received the name Robert Emmett when he was Baptized at Holy Cross Church in Chicago, where he grew up and attended St. Clara's Carmelite School. He was a member of the singing group at the National Shrine of St. Therese there, and then attended Mt. Carmel High School nearby. Graduating High School in 1946, Father Lee attended Loyola University in Chicago. Feeling a call to priesthood in the Carmelite Order, Robert enrolled at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (a former Carmelite Seminary), to begin studies. He attended the Carmelite Novitiate in New Baltimore, PA and on September 1, 1951, Father Lee professed his simple vows as a Carmelite and was given the name Ronan. He then returned to Mt. Carmel to complete his studies and received his Bachelors Degree from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. He then went to Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C., where he studied Carmelite Theology. He professed his solemn vows there on September 15, 1954. After three years of Theology Studies, Father Lee was Ordained into Priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet, IL, on May 30, 1955. Father Lee's first assignment as a Carmelite Priest was to the faculty of DeSales High School in Louisville, KY, where he taught for seven years beginning in 1956. He also served as the school's athletic director. In 1963, Father Lee became a member of the faculty of his alma mater, Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago. In addition to teaching he coached the school's golf team "Lord Knows", Father Lee once wrote "someone has to have a good influence on young men interested in the ancient Scottish games". During this time he also received his Masters' Degree in Religious Studies at Mundelein College in Chicago. Father Lee was assigned as parochial vicar at Mount Carmel Parish in Louisville, KY, in 1988. The following year he was assigned to the Lay Carmelite Ministry at Aylesford Priory in Darien, IL. "He never had a bad day," is how Father Al Sieracki, O.Carm, would describe Father Lee in one sentence. Father Sieracki, who was the Director of the Lay Carmelites for several years when Father Bob Lee also worked this Ministry, commented that he enjoyed working with Father Bob "We called him the 'General'. He had this ability to always smile and be happy", Father Sieracki said. Father Lee enjoyed traveling throughout the Province visiting with Lay Carmelite's in each state. "He traveled from Illinois to California and Florida, literally all over the nation, we got him a new car each year because he drove over 40,000 miles making his visits. Through his efforts in visiting the Lay Carmelite groups around the Country, the Lay movement received a great impetus in growth, community and a great spirit of cooperation with the Lay Carmelite office in Darien, IL", Sieracki said. His brother, William Lee, in remembering some of the highlights of his brother's life, recalls his joy when being invited to play at Augusta National Golf Course "As a priest", said Lee, (my brother Bob) "did an awful lot of good work". William Lee talked about how the family keep his brother busy. "He was there for the family, baptizing 20 of his great-nieces and nephews and attending many of the family gathering", said his brother, William. "The thing I remember most", said Bill, "is that Bob and I never had an argument or disagreement-unless of course you can count the years before I was ten". Father Bob assisted at St. Barnabus, Chicago, St. Benedict, Blue Island and St. Bernard, Homer Glen. Carmelites Father Robert Emmett Lee will be laid to rest on Monday, May 5, 2003, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 111th & California Ave., in Chicago. May he rest in peace! Arrangements by Modell Funeral Home, 630-852-3595. Visit Guest Book at www.suntimes.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on May 2, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Lee

Not sure what to say?





Tony Russo

May 3, 2020

I still often think of Father Lee while I'm on the golf course. He taught me so much about how to play the game mentally some of which I'm just understanding today. It was great to hear his brother comment about how a joy of his life was playing Augusta National, I had the fortune of being one of his playing partners that day. It is also one of the joys of my life! When I was sick with Leukemia, Father Lee came to my house and anointed me. He said your going to be fine, and I believed him. That was 26 years ago! He was an amazing person and coach. Someone I will never forget. Always in my heart.

Nancy Mueller

May 17, 2003

Fr. Lee was a dear friend to me and my family. He performed my wedding and the baptisms of my two children. He always made time for us even with his busy schedule. He will never be forgotten. He is in our hearts always

Nancy (Hau) Mueller

Nancy Swann

May 16, 2003

He is so very much a part of our lives and is greatly missed.

Tony Russo

May 6, 2003

I was sad to hear of the passing of Father Lee, he was my coach and friend. As a coach he knew how to motivate and bring a calmness during competition. I'll never forget a card he handed me before the Catholic League Championship my senior year. Hand printed it said, "Tony, believe and trust in yourself" I went on to win shooting 68. I learned a lot about golf and life from Father Lee and I will always remember him.

Susan and Dan Brown

May 5, 2003

Fr. Lee was truly a great inspiration to all who met him. He officiated our wedding in October of 1994 and we will always remember his stories. We were blessed to have known such a wonderful man!

William Zbierski

May 5, 2003

To the Waters family,



I am deeply sorry for your loss. Fr. Bob was a great inspiration!



My thoughts and prayers are with you.

John Albergo

May 5, 2003

Fr. Lee was one of the most memorable priests at Mt. Carmel. His calm, yet strong, demeanor made a lasting impression on me and thousands of other students who walked the halls of Mt. Carmel. Our prayers go out to his family.

Karen Reato

May 5, 2003

Father has touched so many lives. I am honored to have known him and feel blessed to have been called his friend. He will be missed, but never forgotten.



Karen Reato and family, Ron, Christina, Mary & Nicole - St. Bernard's Parish - Homer Glen, IL

Nancy Wyman

May 4, 2003

Father Lee has officiated at all our family's weddings, baptizsms and funerals for as long as I can remember. Once, when he was late for a wedding, the bride (my sister) and groom, in separate areas of the church, each feared the other wasn't showing up. What a relief when it was just Fr. Lee who was late. We know he is in heaven now playing golf with our Dad. We'll all miss him. Nancy Swann Wyman

Congressman Marty Russo

May 4, 2003

To the Family of Father Lee,

Father Lee will be deeply missed but his legacy of kindness, compassion,and deep devotion will live on through the many students and families that he has touched and helped. I know how happy he was when my son, Tony, invited him to play Augusta National and the extreme joy he felt when we drove up Magnolia lane to the clubhouse. He was excited when he was assigned the room over the clubhouse to spend the night. He played well and we all had a great time. He was a very dear friend of the Russo family and had a profound impact on my son, Tony. We will miss him but he will always be there. With the deepest of love,

Congressman Marty Russo and family.

Helen-Sauer Brown

May 3, 2003

Father Bob Lee in his studies at Mundelein College Chicago in 1970 brought to his classmates a very good model of priest. His deep faith, strong vocation, understanding of the human experience, personal charm and unfailing commitment to his priestly nature, were all blessings to our community of scholars. May eternal light shine on him and may he rest in peace.

Patrick and Janet Corcoran

May 3, 2003

Fr. Lee,



Our children have fond memories of you saying mass for the Ford and Lenz family reunions at Lake Wawasee. You will be missed by all that you touched. God Bless You.

Frederick Penman {Sr}

May 3, 2003

Fr. Lee: You will be missed dearly.

As one of your former students, I will miss you dearly. You were a Mentor to me. As well as all of the Men of Carmel.

May God welcome you into his Kingdom as one his fallen Angels.

Rest in Peace my Friend & former Teacher.

man of Carmel Class of 1975

Bart Larkin

May 3, 2003

God's peace, Bob. I will always remember the happy days we had on the fairways in Louisville!

Paul Albarran (class of '83)

May 3, 2003

Fr. Lee epitomizes Self-esteem and Accomplishment. His is a life of Meaning, deep and moving. Fr. Lee forever lavishes us with Recognition of our individual beauty, and so we see our beauty. The lives of Other-people have always been his center as we can only truly live when we live for and with others. Fr. Lee is a man of Spirituality, because he knows life is everlasting with God. Success is too small a word to describe this man's life, but he happily attained it. For those of us fortunate enough, we know the man who embodies all the qualities of S-A-M R-O-S-S. God Bless Fr. Robert E. Lee. His life will bear all measure.

Bob Hau

May 2, 2003

Fr. Lee,



You had a tremendous impact on so many people. Heaven is a better place today. We lost a truly wonderful human being. Thanks for so much.



Bob Hau

Mount Carmel High School

Class of '83

Kim Pankau

May 2, 2003

To the Waters family...

May the Peace of Christ be with you as you gather this weekend to remember Uncle Fr. Bob and to celebrate his earthly life. Have joy in your hearts as you contemplate that he is now gazing on the face of God and praising Him with the whole communion of Angels and Saints!



Our thoughts and prayers are with you.



Much love,

Tom, Kim, Bailey and Bryce

Brian Bulger

May 2, 2003

One of the most positive people I have ever met. You were truly devoted to Mt. Carmel H.S. and impacting the lives of young men. You will truly be missed.



Class of 1981

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