Gim Loon Lee

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Gim Loon (Ken) Lee on April 1, 2024 at the Grace Hospital at the age of 88 years. He was predeceased by his wife So Ung Lee in August, 2023.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons Donald (Polly) and David, daughters Mary and Judy (Brent), and grandchildren Samantha, Steven, Matthew, Michelle and Marcus.

Gim Loon was born in 1935 in Guandong Province in China. He came to Canada with his mother in 1953 to join his father who had already been living in Canada for several years. Together, the three of them owned and operated a couple of restaurants in rural Manitoba. Gim Loon married So Ung in 1958 and the entire family settled down in Manitou, Manitoba later that same year. The Grand Cafe became their home and business for many years. Gim Loon’s parents retired to Winnipeg in 1975, but he and So Ung continued running the Grand Cafe until they also retired to Winnipeg in 1987.

Gim Loon did not stay retired for long. He spent the first few months of retirement gardening and reading, but then went right back to the workforce when he realized he was not ready to stop working. He finally officially retired in the early 2000’s. Gim Loon loved doting on his grandchildren, never forgetting a birthday or holiday. He followed the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers and would watch their games on TV whenever he could. Gim Loon lived a quiet and peaceful life at Brightwater Senior Living of Tuxedo from 2019 until his passing.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brightwater Senior Living for taking care of our father and grandfather and providing such a wonderful home for him for the past 5 years.