Jeffery Mills Lee

May 19, 1960 - September 2, 2018

Jeffery Mills Lee passed away suddenly September 2nd, after a brief but heroic battle with cancer. Jeff’s three daughters Katie, Frannie and Abbie were the brightest light of his life. Jeff was born May 19, 1960 in Oakland, California to Robert and Jane Lee. He was an accomplished athlete at Piedmont High School (Class of ‘78) lettering in football, basketball, and baseball and will be fondly remembered for his mischievous ways and antics that kept his many friends entertained and his brothers nervous.

After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Jeff pursued a successful career as a commercial real estate broker in Coldwell Banker’s (CBRE) Oakland office. Known as “Mr. Richmond,” Jeff earned numerous Top 10 Broker awards during his 16+ years selling and leasing industrial properties throughout the East Bay. He brought his honed relationship and property development skills to Catellus Development Corporation and Opus West building and leasing many successful projects before co-founding Cypress Property Group. In 2017, Cypress was presented with the Deal of the Year award from the San Francisco Business Times acknowledging its 644 Broadway project. The assembly of the building’s unique mix of creative and talented tenants including China Live Restaurant, Speak Easy Theater, and SF Film Society was his proudest professional achievement.

Jeff was an outdoorsman who cherished his time hunting, fishing, surfing and playing golf. He was a fierce competitor in everything he did and was famous for his “occasional” outbursts when shots didn’t go his way. There is still a 5 iron in a tall pine tree in Monterey with his name on it.

Jeff loved to travel and often would escape to the shores of Bolinas, Carmel, La Jolla and Hawaii where he found resolve. He had a unique ability of connecting people and ideas from which many have benefitted. Jeff supported numerous environmental causes and was particularly passionate about the charity 1% For the Planet.

Jeff is survived by his three daughters Katie, Frannie and Abbie, two brothers Stuart (wife Shirley), Mark (wife Sheila) and 5 adoring nieces and nephews-Eleanor, Bobby, Eliza, Will and Grace Lee.

It is remarkable and humbling to witness so many come to Jeff’s aid in these past weeks. To his legion of dear friends that have surrounded him with love and grace, thank you. To his gifted and tender medical team of nurses, physicians, surgeons, oncologists and many caregivers, thank you for providing him with comfort and such real hope.

A celebration of Jeff’s extraordinary life will be held at a date in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to”1% For the Planet” 47 Maple Street, Suite 103 Burlington, VT 05401 or https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/donate