Derek Lee

Derek Lee, 86, of Newark Valley, NY passed away from heart failure on May 24, 2023 at Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, NY.

He was born to parents Elizabeth and Reginald Lee, on November 17, 1936, in London, England. He spent his early childhood in England and moved to Scotland when he was 10. Derek immigrated to Canada when he was 19 and later moved to the United States for a job at Church and Dwight in Syracuse, NY. He met Katherine Coleman in Syracuse and they were married on March 4, 1961. He served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963. In 1967, Derek moved his family to Newark Valley, NY to begin his career with IBM Owego. He retired in 1999. Derek and Katherine lived in their beloved home in Newark Valley for 52 years before moving to Good Shephard Village in Endwell, NY in 2020.

Derek is survived by his wife, Katherine; his three daughters, Janice (Peter) Balzer, Cameron, MO; Doreen Maggiacomo, Poughkeepsie, NY and Sylvia (John) Riegel, Newark Valley, NY; his two sisters Pauline Neilan, Hamilton, Scotland; Dawn Lee-Misener, Toronto, Canada; his 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren and "adopted" granddaugter Selena in Beijing, China

Derek was known for his love of flowers and gardening. In the later years of his career with IBM, he enjoyed traveling the worldon company business. In his retirement, Katherine and Derek purchased an RV and enjoyed camping with their family and friends.

The Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 12:30pm at the McKendree United Methodist Church, 224 Owego Rd., Candor, NY. The Lee family would like to greet their family and friends for a lunch after the service at 1pm in the church hall.

Express condolences online at www.SavageFS.com. Donations in Derek's memory can be made to McKendree United Methodist Church

Arrangements entrusted to SAVAGE-DeMarco Funeral Service in Binghamton.

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