On February 3, 2021 Thomas (Tom) Lee of Ottawa and Victoria passed away at the age of 79. Tom was the loving husband of Terry Lee, father of Tanya Lee (John Torrey) and Tom Lee (Heidi Barlow-Lee) and grandfather of Madeline, Celia, Ava and Owen.
Tom was born to Tom and Isabella Lee in December of 1941. He spent his childhood with his mother, grandparents and sisters Sharon and Lorna-Mae on a farm near Barrie, Ontario. Tom attended Barrie Central Collegiate Institute where he met his future wife of nearly 60 years, Terry McKnight. He was a proud member of the Barrie Collegiate band, which he credited with keeping him in school and fostering a lifelong love of music.
Tom was a proud Canadian and had a distinguished career in public service. His passion was the Canadian parks system, working in Ontario and British Columbia before becoming the head of Parks Canada in 1993. In 1998 he was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly created Parks Canada Agency. The appointment was the highlight of his career and he attributed the success of the Agency to its talented and dedicated staff. In 2019 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions as a public servant and for his conservation of Canada’s natural resources.
Tom often spoke and wrote movingly about the beauty of Canada. He would describe the “white seagulls on brown farm furrows, stone boats and old coats, barn swallows and pond wallows, red pin cherries, and ripe raspberries” of his childhood farm. He believed that you could hear Canada’s “voices in its nature – a thundering waterfall, the cry of the osprey, the trembling of an aspen.”
With his favourite travelling companion Terry, Tom had the good fortune to travel the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. They had the pins on a map on their wall to prove it. Tom could mend a canoe, lay a stone wall, tend a vegetable patch, build a playhouse or sundial for his grandchildren, take apart and rebuild a ’51 MG and play the flamenco guitar. He could name trees and wildflowers as he walked. He could tell you when an approaching storm was a tornado. He read widely and thought deeply. He often returned to the great authors of Russian literature.
Tom’s love for his wife spanned his ages. He inspired his children by example, mentored them with his words and supported their choices. He delighted in his grandchildren and his pride in each of them knew no bounds. While no funeral will be held for Tom, we ask you to keep him in your memories. The family will gather privately to celebrate Tom’s life later in the year. Donations in his name may be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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Carole Hayes (Tonner)
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Lucia C Gillam Year 1999-2000. I had the great pleasure of meeting Tom. I worked briefly in the Chief Executive Office and Tom would visit with me at my desk from time to time, sit across from me and ask me questions about my experiences of working and living in Banff National Park. He was so sincere in his interest to converse with me and talk about nature. It was a little intimidating at the time to work at this level of Government, I was young, but Tom made me feel welcome. In the short time I got to know him, I felt a strong sense of respect and kindness. It was an honor to meet him and I will never forget him. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. Look up at the stars and his star will outshine all others.
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NADINE J DERICK I am very saddened by Tom’s passing, having seen him last summer for lunch and a jaunty ride in the 1951 MG. There was quite a bit of head turning and smiles as we drove to the Cordova Bay Golf Course.
I worked with Tom in BC Lands for many years and remember the good working relationship we shared. He provided me with the opportunity to expand my career in BC Lands and for that I am thankful.
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Terry and the family. You are in my thoughts.
Nadine
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Denis O'Gorman I have diverse and fond memories of Tom from various chapters of our careers.
I met Tom when he was Director of BC Parks and I was with the Environment Land Use Committee Secretariat in Victoria, BC. Our interactions were many, none more so than speedily working together on drafting the Cabinet Order which legally established Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, on which our offices had jointly worked.
Fast forward . . . we are working for Canada’s and BC’s Forest Services. Tom is managing collaborative efforts to define Canada-wide, broad National Forest Management commitments and I’m on the BC Team. His leadership and effort was invaluable in getting this Accord in place.
Moving again . . . Tom is now the head of Parks Canada and I’m ADM for BC Parks. Tom develops a concept and proposal for a Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy initiative in the Gulf Islands. BC signed on because it complements BC’s Protected Areas Strategy. Tom and I are the coordinators and the end result is Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, with BC voluntarily transferring several key parks to Canada and managing land acquisitions for many others.
These and other wonderful memories of Tom remain . . . a visionary, pragmatist and great colleague. Farewell, my friend, and well done.
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Elaine McKnight Hi Terry and family,
I am so sorry to learn of this sad news. He had a wonderful life and was so accomplished. I’m sure the memories you have are a comfort to you. Sadly Peter also died recently (in December) so I understand your loss. I hope we can reconnect soon.
Love Elaine
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Sheila (Forster) Kaighin Terry, I was so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He lived an exemplary and full life. I’m sure you and your children are very proud of him and that he will be greatly missed. I enjoyed chatting with him at the Olivers in Barrie a few years ago. It was great to see you both.
Tom leaves a wonderful legacy.
My thoughts are with you.
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Lori Thornton & Mike Neals I remember fondly working with Tom, in his capacity as a consultant to the NCC, on the proposal for an indigenous cultural centre on Victoria Island. One day it will become a reality, I hope. Mike and I also remember visiting you both on Lac Pemichangan. Tom was just an all-round great guy. Sending our sincerest sympathies to you, Terry, and all of your family.
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Cris & Elsie Gray Dear Terry and family:
Our hearts go out to all of you. We can only hope that many happy and lasting memories, and totally justifiable pride, will diminish your sorrow as rapidly as possible. We know he will be sorely missed, and by many.
It was my enormous pleasure and great honour to have known and worked with Tom. It was a bit less than 5 years (1978 – 1983), which were the first years of the legendary B.C. Ministry of Lands, Parks & Housing, (and not only because of their memorable Christmas parties), and where Tom was initially the ADM Parks. And what an extraordinary five years it was. John Johnson, DM referred to it in later years as “Camelot”, and Tom was most definitely one of the Knights at that table. And you, Terry, were most definitely his Lady. We still have a photo of you and Elsie in your similar burgundy dresses.
Tom was the epitome of “a scholar and a gentleman”. He was one of the few exceptional and extraordinary people I have encountered in my life. He had a great sense of humour and, as if that weren’t enough, he also had a love for interesting older automobiles. (I just realized that when we were boys, a 70-year-old car such as his 1951 MG, would have been built in 1880. He has now widened my sense of “history”.) I fondly recall his small old Hillman (?) sedan on one late afternoon, following a rather lengthy celebratory lunch, struggling to not only contain John the giant, Andrew, myself and Tom the driver, but to carry us slowly, but successfully, all the way uphill to our house on Lansdowne. As they say, those were the days!
When Tom and I switched positions between Lands and Parks, his willingness to relinquish the one job everyone in government would have loved to have, and to take on a completely new challenge, was truly remarkable. As was his subsequent service to Canada as a whole. The Order of Canada has not had a more deserving recipient.
Cris & Elsie Gray
14 February 2021
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William McReynolds A sad farewell salute to a former neighbour, soccer dad, curler, and BC public servant. My heartfelt condolences to Terry and the family.
Bill McReynolds
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Lorrie Marlow Tom and I chatted in a grocery store parking lot in Ottawa for an hour one day about our favorite parks and sites. I am 28 year Parks Canada employee and worked for him. I told him my career started in Batoche and Prince Albert National Park, he knew specific details of every park and site I worked in. I was just one of many Parks Canada employees who worked and respected him. He treated me warmly that day as if he remembered me personally and his memory of parks and sites was incredible! RIP, Tom, thanks for all you did for Parks!
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Daniel Quan-Watson As a successor, inheritor and admirer of his great work at Parks Canada, and a former colleague of his son Tom and a witness to the strength of the values that he passed on to the next generation, I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family. Canada owes much to Tom Lee and is far better off than most will ever know for what he contributed to this country.
Again, my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.
Daniel Quan-Watson (Former CEO, Parks Canada)
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Alan Latourelle Dear Terry and family, Josée and I offer our deepest sympathy as a result of your loss of Tom. Words really cannot express our sadness in losing a friend, mentor and former colleague. I have been very blessed to have the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by a Great Canadian who through his unassuming style inspired all of us to care deeply for our Country, for our National Treasures and for the members of the Parks Canada family. He was a true unsung hero, a giant of Canada’s Parks Program but more importantly such a respectful and inspiring person.
Alan and Josée Latourelle
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Joy Tappenden Lee David and Joy Lee
Our condolences to you, Terry, and your family.
Terry, you and I met while teaching at Hollycrest Middle School in Etobicoke. My husband, David, and I drove your car, with boat on top, from Mississauga to Victoria the summer (was it 1975?) you and the family re-located to Victoria. At that time, our children hadn’t yet been born. It seems that we have some family names in common: among others, David’s mother named Isabell and his cousin Tom.
Tom has evidently led a full, rich life, contributing to and enriching creation and the lives of all around him. You will miss him! His goodness will live on in the lives of those he has inspired.David and Joy Lee
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Ray Andrews My sincere condolences to Terry and family with the passing of Tom . Tom was a true beacon of the Canadian conservation movement in Canada.
Tom was Director of Planning when I started my Career in his office with Ontario Parks in 1973 and was one of a few mentors for me at various times in my career in Ontario and Alberta.
I periodically stayed in contact through his career in BC and Parks canada.
Tom’s passion for conservation and contribution in Canada was
recognized by not only by the Order Of Canada but all those that had the opportunity to cross paths.Cherish the memories of the family joys.
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Bruce Amos Stephanie and I send our condolences to Terry and family on Tom’s recent death. This marks the passing of one of the great leaders for Canada’s parks and in particular of Parks Canada. A humble man with a big heart, Tom Lee was responsible for creating the Parks Canada Agency, thus saving it from oblivion after the bureaucratic meltdown into the Department of Canadian Heritage. I hope his many other accomplishments will also be recognized. See Christina Cameron’s tribute: http://parkscanadahistory.com/centennial/leaders-full.htmI
I remember Tom’s famous speech in his early days at Parks Canada when he started by saying “I want to paint you a picture of Canada…” and proceeded to cross the country with stories of art, music, books, places, history and people. He left his audience in tears. Tom was crying too. It was an honour to work with Tom Lee and to call him a friend. He will be remembered. Love to you Terry.
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Norm and Sandra Richards Terry, our thoughts are with you and your family. Tom was truly an inspiration to his colleagues in both the provincial and national parks systems. It was so satisfying to learn about Tom receiving the Officer of the Order of Canada award. Tom’s most valuable contribution to protect and manage significant natural resources through his dedicated and leading edge work in Ontario, British Columbia and Parks Canada has been exceptional. Many people are still amazed with the legislation that Tom and his team prepared for the new Parks Canada Agency which will ensure the protection of this institution. Tom really does represent the best traditions of parks experts in the public service. Above his career, Tom always spoke so proudly about his family and his rural upbringing in the Barrie area.
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wes umphrey Tom was a great guy and a good leader, well respected by all his fellow workers in Lands, Parks and Housing. I remember on one occasion when I was having a bad time. Tom stuck up for me. Also, after I retired from Lands and Tom was with Parks Canada he secured me a couple large contracts. On one I worked out of Calgary helping to set up a new land rental system for Jasper and other towns where Parks owned the land. He made work a pleasure.
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Wayne Yetman I don’t believe I ever talked with Tom. But I knew him by reputation in the mid 70s when I was moving through the park system in Ontario. He was known as a prodigious worker, who had a vision for where the park system should go and would not leave any rock unturned to achieve that. He commanded the absolute loyalty of those around him and I frequently heard stories of his after work sessions at the Legion bar across the street from the Whitney Block, where he and his followers simply carried on their work day pursuits in another location. Though I prospered greatly through the many other fine people in Parks Branch I regret that I was never able to serve under Tom Lee. My sincerest condolence to you on the loss of such a charismatic figure.
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Tim Sookocheff My Condolences to the Lee family. I appreciated being part of the team of Parks Canada management and staff assembled by Tom to develop the legislation package necessary for the establishment of the Parks Canada Agency. I should note that this work went ahead in the face of power outages and road closures. Tom took this challenge in stride, never veering from his primary focus. He set a singular example and will be greatly missed by all of us.
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Terry Perkins Our family has many wonderful memories from our times at Parks Canada, under Tom’s leadership. I was so fortunate to join the new Agency during it’s infancy. Tom is fondly remembered as a Public Service leader capable of developing numerous Historic Sites and Marine Conservation Areas. In particular, Tom was able to partner with Indigenous leaders to create and conserve multiple National Parks in Canada’s north.
Our fondest memories include front country hikes in Kluane with Tom and Terry.
Terry Perkins CPA
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Bob Beatty Hi Terry,
Please accept my most heartfelt condolences to you and your family on Tom’s passage.It was approximately 45 years ago when I first met Tom. He and Bob Mitton were interviewing me for a system planning position in Ontario’s Park Planning Branch. This was my first career position after university and I would have taken the job even without pay, I was so enthused about working in the Planning Branch.
In retrospect, I could not have started out with better people or in a better workplace. Tom was such a positive influence for so many of us in the parks program and the recreation field. His “can do” attitude and his determination and comfort with people from every background and educational level made him a natural leader, and left a lifelong impression on me – he was a remarkable role model for the Park Planning team ….
I didn’t see or speak with Tom frequently over the past few decades, but whenever I did, it seemed like we were instantly transported in time back to our days at the War Amps, or working on the Park Classification document, or at the Branch Christmas party, or a planning retreat…. planning how to stickhandle something through the bureaucracy or the political interface – all the while moving forward to identify and set aside some of the best landscapes in North America for conservation and preservation. The world won’t be quite the same without him in it, and you are not alone in your loss.
Kindest regards,
Bob Beatty
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Anne Scotton A very thoughtful and gentle man who worked for his vision and lived his principles. Sad to see him go.
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Maryse Neilson We send our love and condolences to you all❤️. I remember growing up down the road from you on Emily Carr Drive and always anticipating with joy occasions where our families would get together – I loved going to your home and Tom always greeted each of us Neilson kids with a warm smile and kindness. He has left this earth with an impressive legacy and family and friends who loved him.
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Louise Philippe I had the good fortune to work along side of Tom at Heritage Canada. Tom was a very kind and dedicated man who believed in the goodness of people and loved both nature and his job. Tom was a very good man indeed.
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théa Dearest Tom #2 and Heidi, Madeline and Ava – one of my favourite Kiswahili expressions is Mungu akulinde – it means May God hold you – I wish that for all of you now. xxx théa ♥️
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Celine Gaulin To Terry and family
It was deep sadness to learn of Tom’s passing. I had the privilege of working for Tom and meeting you Terry during my Parks Canada years. Dave and I enjoyed wonderful visits and gourmet dinners prepared by Tom ( and you too Terry). We regaled in Tom’s stories about Tanya and Tom junior and grandchildren’s adventures and successes.
Tom has been described as a strong visionary, a true leader and an outstanding public servant. All true, but Tom can I be described without highlighting – that Tom was a gentle man and a gentleman in all circumstances. He will be truly missed.
Céline Gaulin and David Wilson
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Richard Têtu and Carole Dupuis Carole Dupuis and Richard Têtu
We are sorry to hear of Tom’s passing earlier this week. We remember him as someone proud of what he accomplished at Parks Canada. His unique legacy is indeed reflective of his true commitment to Canada’s nature and the protection of its environment. He was a great neighbor for us over his last years in Ottawa before moving to Victoria. Most sincere condolences to you Terry and your family.
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Jacque Macdonald Hello Terry,
Although I have not met Tom, I am so very sorry to hear of his passing.
My most sincere condolences to you and your family.
Thinking of you.
Jacque Macdonald
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Ron and Cyndy Vrancart It is with great sadness that we offer our condolences to Terry and family on the passing of Tom.
We were colleagues in the early days of what eventually became Ontario Parks before Tom moved to Victoria. Tom was a great leader and made an outstanding contribution to parks and protected areas across the nation not the least of which was the Parks Canada Agency. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the broader conservation community.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with you.
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Charlie Zinkan It is with great sadness, I send my condolences to Terry and family. I was fortunate to work directly with Tom on challenges facing Canada’s most special places and specifically Banff National Park. His leadership and friendship are treasured – he was the most influential person in my professional life. I still hear his speech describing Canada by highlighting national parks and national historic sites – he so eloquently spoke of what it means to be Canadian. Thank you Tom.
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Raymond Alègre It was a true honour for me to have served at Parks Canada under the leadership of Tom Lee. He was a visionary with a poetic touch who made one proud of being a member of that organization.
I offer you my sincerest condolences .
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Kelly and Kim Mann Tom & Heidi and families. Our sympathies on your father’s passing. A great man has moved on to his next chapter
Kelly & Kim xo
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Ken Walker A legend within Parks Canada. We owe the success of the Parks Canada Agency to Tom.
My condolences to the family.
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Lori Barlow Tom Sr. was a wonderful and joyful chef. His turkey dinners provided epic moments for family gatherings and just plain fun. His passion for these times and the sense of kinship he so served was inspirational and heartwarming. He will be greatly missed, but the memories of the great times together will live on. His leadership was quiet and unassuming. but still felt and appreciated by all. Our hearts are with Tom Jr., Heidi and Terry who will feel his loss strongly in these early days, but we all can draw on the strength he fostered in us to weather this and create space for the joy he showed for the simple parts of everyday life. Lori and Ron
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Eloise and Cam Berry Our sincere condolences to Terry and the family.
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Karen Waldie All our love and deepest condolences from New Zealand. I knew how much Tom and Terry loves their travels there. What an amazing man and such a loss to the world and his family.
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Eric & Layna Watchorn Our hearts go out to you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss. We had the pleasure of sharing a few gatherings with Tom here in Victoria and enjoyed his company immensely.
May your memories out shine the tears. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Eric, Layna & Macyn Watchorn
Hi Terry, Tom Jr and Tanya-it has been a year or more since Tom passed but I think of you often! I have tried several times to contact you but we lost touch over the years. The last time we chatted was when you were in Ottawa. I hope you are all doing well! Keep safe and take care. Sending hugs. I would love to hear from you. I can never forget how kind you and Tom were to me during University days.
Carole