Long time Ladner Rotary member and contributor to our community, retired dentist Dr. John Yee, 83, passed away on July 12, 2024 at Windermere Care Centre in Vancouver, BC. The Rotary Club of Ladner expresses its condolences to John's wife Margaret of 57 years, who has been a long time friend of the club, and to daughters Deborah (Will) and Laurie (Simon), grandchildren Braedan and Victoria, and half-sister Mei Lun (Jing Chung).
Born in New Westminster, John was the youngest of three children to parents Gwen and Thick Wo Yee. He was predeceased by his father, mother, sister Mae, brother Larry, and 3 half-sisters.
He practiced dentistry in Ladner for 35 years. He became a good friend of fellow dentist and active Ladner Rotarian Dr. Arthur Birk and his wife Geraldine.
John joined Ladner Rotary in 1981 and played an active role as a member and president in 1987-1988. He also served as a member of the Ladner Business Association.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing him and sharing in service above self with him, would share the comment in his obituary, "His cheerful, quiet, and respectful manner will be deeply missed."
Dr. Arthur Birk says, “John was by far my most important colleague in dentistry throughout our many years in practice, but he also was one of my closest personal friends from the day we met. So many wonderful times I treasure and memories that bring a smile to my face. He was, ‘simply the best’."
Club President David Rushton says, "There was a deeply spiritual side to John. During a Billy Graham conference in the 1990s, with thousands of people gathered, John and I were randomly brought together as a prayer team. John was a lovely, caring man. He is in a good place."
Mike Storey says, "Ladner Rotarians, family members and friends have great memories from many years of Chinese New Year’s Dinners which John organized in Ladner."