Brent McKee Lee of Pearl River, New York, passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side after a six-month battle with complications resulting from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He fought bravely.

Brent was born January 1, 1948 in Redbank, New Jersey and later moved to Nyack. His parents were Duncan Rogers Lee and Nancy (Giacobbe) Lee, both deceased. He was a proud member of the Nyack High School Class 0f 1965 where he was captain of both the soccer and swim teams – he excelled at the butterfly. He earned an Associate’s Degree from Rockland Community College, a BA from Parson’s College in physical education and an M.A. from Hunter College in recreation therapy.

Brent started working as a summer lifeguard at the age of 17 at Rockland State Hospital and later became a recreation therapist at what became Rockland Psychiatric. He enjoyed working with the patients. It was there he met his soul mate, Jo Ann Terry, whom he married in 1969 When Brent retired in 2003, he was the most senior employee in the entire state psychiatric system.

In his off hours, Brent became a well-known track official and eventually head of the Rockland County Track Official’s Association. He was the big guy with the Mutton-Chop beard who fired the starting pistol and who excelled in judging the shot-put, discus, hammer, and javelin (his license plate reads “Throws”). His soccer playing skills came in handy one day when he turned around and saw a shot coming straight at him. He “trapped” it by puffing out his chest and letting it collapse when the shot hit him. He didn’t even break a rib, but it was caught on film and is still used in track safety training today. He was disappointed when his county track official organization’s registration date fell two weeks short of that required for him to judge the Atlanta summer Olympics in 1996, but was thrilled when he was asked to judge the Para-Olympics in Atlanta that same summer. He judged throwing events all over New York and judged the Penn Relays every year as well as judging New York City’s Louck’s Games – where athletes from all over the world compete - until his health side-lined him.

The only thing Brent loved more than sports (although the Jets broke his heart every year – if only they had listened to his coaching and yelling at the TV set!), was his family - particularly his grandkids. He doted on them and took them to live with Jo Ann and him every summer. He went to family sports events and was voted MVP “Most Vocal Parent” as he cheered on his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. What did he hate? - idiot drivers, especially those who didn’t use turn signals! Other than that he was the most easy going guy you ever met.

Brent is survived by his faithful and loving wife of 48 years, Jo Ann; his son, Brent McKee Lee II of Pearl River, his daughter, Cristin Melissa Lee of New Berlin, New York, and his three grandsons, Shaun, Dakota and Steven, his brother, Dr. Duncan Rogers Lee II, of Upper Nyack, his brother, Leslie VanSaun of Portland, Maine, his sister, Catherine VanSaun of Valley Cottage, and a step-brother, Patrick Lofaro, Jr. of New Hampshire. Brent’s stepbrothers, Edward and Raymond VanSaun, predeceased him.

Viewing will be at Hannemann Funeral Home, 88 South Broadway, Nyack, from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 6 with a funeral service at United Methodist Church, 130 Franklin Avenue, Pearl River, Friday July 7th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to offset the costs of Brent’s 6-month hospitalization. Donate at: www.GoFundMe.Com/BrentLee