Lee Edward Francis Coelho

Lee was born in Oakland, California, where he spent his early years before building a life and family over four decades in Visalia, CA.

A Life of Advocacy and Dedication.

Lee dedicated his career to fighting for the rights and well-being of working people. He began his career as a labor representative for restaurant workers before transitioning his expertise to the field of education. For over 30 years, Lee served with distinction at the California School Employees Association (CSEA), where he passionately represented classified employees throughout California. For many years, he also dedicated his time and expertise as a Trustee for Central Valley Trust. His work was his calling, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives through his tireless dedication.

In 2021, Lee and his beloved wife, Laurie, moved to Henderson, Nevada, where he enjoyed his retirement years.

Family and Passions.

Lee was a man of great spirit—proudly Portuguese, set in his ways, and quick with a joke. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor and loved to "mess around" with his family, making every gathering memorable.

His children were truly his two worlds. He was an exceptionally devoted father, always present at all of his children's sporting events and school activities, cheering them on every step of the way.

His deepest passions included his three prized Corvettes, a testament to his love of classic cars. He was also an avid collector, building impressive collections of coins and comic books. Most importantly, he cherished his family, especially their regular trips, including their annual family excursions to Comic-Con.

Survivors and Services.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rosemary Coelho, and his brother, Wayne Coelho.

He is survived by his loving wife of many years, Laurie Coelho; his two children, Ashton Coelho-Minton and her husband, Kohdi Minton, and Aaron Coelho. He is also survived by several cherished nieces, nephews, and their children.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 13th, at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia, CA. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Coelho family home. Lee will be laid to rest alongside his family at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Oakland, California