Frank Kyu Nyung Lee

Frank Kyu Nyung Lee, 60, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2022 surrounded by family and love in his final weeks, having lived courageously with cancer since early 2020.  Frank is survived by his wife Jane, children Jennifer and Jason, parents Byung Hyun and Insup Lee and younger brothers Tom (Famy) and Chan (Ji Hyun).

Frank was born December 8, 1961, in Seoul, South Korea, where his beloved Halmoni helped raise him, and emigrated to Canada with his family in 1972.  Frank met Jane (Pursey) in 1982 at the University of Guelph and they were married in 1991.  Frank’s greatest blessing was becoming a father to Jennifer and Jason, whom he loved with all his heart.

Frank graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in 1985, from McMaster University with a Master of Science in 1989 and from the University of Iowa with a Ph.D. in microbiology in 1998.  In addition to being a dedicated scientist he was also an enthusiastic hockey player, avid photographer, dog lover to Finn and Penny and master travel planner; finding unique sites to visit and breakfast diners to enjoy before a long hike were his specialties. Among our greatest memories are the family trip to Scotland to honor Jane’s parents, visiting Norway and exploring the east coast of Canada.  Jane is especially grateful for one last trip to the national parks in the Pacific Northwest this past fall.

In addition to his wife, children, parents and brothers, Frank is survived by beloved sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We thank all who cared for him over the past two years at Cayuga Hematology Oncology Associates, Weill Cornell Medicine Hematology and Oncology, and New York Presbyterian Hospital.  A special thank you to Hospicare & Palliative Care Services in Ithaca NY for their care and comfort during Frank’s final weeks.

Cremation will be private; a celebration of life will be held in the spring; details will be announced closer to the time.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to Hospicare (https://www.hospicare.org/donate/donationform/).  Arrangements are in care of Bangs Funeral Home.