Chan Ho Lee

Chan Ho Lee of Woodbury Heights NJ, passed away peacefully at home on July 1st, 2022. Born in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, he was one of 7. He had 5 sisters and 1 brother. As he dreamed of a better life, he immigrated to the United States after the Korean War and started at the Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, now known as Delaware Valley University. He knew no English but was determined to get a college degree and taught himself the language. He excelled in science and filled his electives with Physics and math courses, as it required little English. While attending school, he met his wife Jean on a blind date. She was studying at an all-girls nursing school, Abington Memorial, and they married soon after. After graduating from college, he worked for such National food processing companies such as Topco and Seabrook Farms before moving to New Jersey to start his own business, which he ran until he was 92 years old. 

Surviving are his children Kyung Soo Lim and her husband Dr. Lim, Nancy Lee Mendez and her husband Al Mendez, Kenneth Lee and his wife Cindy, and Robert Lee. His grandchildren, Danny and Yuri Lim, Brian Lee and his wife Jane, Steven Lee and Allison Lee and 2 great grandchildren, Arden and Logan Lee.

He will always be remembered as a pioneer and an entrepreneur that always thought outside the box. He was never afraid to try a new idea and take risks. He has helped lend a hand to lift up many of his fellow immigrants that came to this country and had no job or nowhere to live, and can be credited with the prosperity of many.

He was also an avid swimmer and runner and completed several marathons, including New York and Boston Marathons.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 10th, from 1-4 PM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home located at 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield NJ, 07090.  The burial will be held at 10AM on Monday, July 11th at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ