Joseph Lee's Obituary
Joseph Lee was born on September 4, 1944, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Joseph Chun Hoy Lee and Bertha Sup Lin Leong Lee. Although he had no official middle name, his grandfather gave him the name Keeson, which stuck within his large extended family. As the third of five children and the oldest son with three sisters and one brother, his parents and siblings affectionately called him “Bruddah.”
Joseph was raised in Kalihi and attended Fern School. Later, his family moved to Pearl City, where their home became the central gathering place for five generations. Having a close-knit family was a core value for his parents, so weekly family dinners were a tradition, and everyone was welcome on holidays and special occasions.
After graduating from Waipahu High School in 1962, where he met his future wife, Winona Mendes, Joseph enlisted in the Air Force a year later alongside his cousin Bugs Leong. Following his military service, he and Bugs worked for United Airlines, a company that employed many of his cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. He took immense pride in his work and expected the same from his co-workers, especially his younger relatives. It was not unusual for him to ask a cousin how many bags they fit in a container or how long it took to load a plane. Even after he became a fueler, he continued his "quality control" with his nieces and nephews.
While he wasn't a frequent traveler himself, his parents, wife, and children took full advantage of his flying benefits. He preferred to spend his days off in the ocean, appreciating his rotating days off that allowed him to avoid weekend crowds at Kaneohe Bay while spear-fishing with his diving friends. He was meticulous in preparing his catch, whether it was drying octopus or frying and steaming fish. Eventually, he bought his own boat, which allowed him to not only dive with his friends but also to take his kids and other family members out. The younger generation was in awe of how long he could hold his breath underwater, but they also quickly learned that he was very particular about every detail, from preparing the catch to cleaning up and sharing it.
The influence of his mother, Bertha, and his beloved Aunty Betty was evident in his love of cooking. He was known for making a dish over and over until he believed it was perfect. This meant using sharp knives, sanitized cutting boards, and the best ingredients. While he enjoyed preparing what he caught, he was most famous for his fried noodles. His wife, Nona, served as his sous chef, tasked with cutting every vegetable to the exact measurement. He then used a specially crafted outside gas stove with a giant wok, expertly flipping up to 25 pounds of noodles to perfection for family and friends.
The best way to describe Joseph was “old school.” He was a provider for his family and a strict father. He often said, "The worst thing you can do is steal or lie to me." He believed his kids should make their own way in the world, but he was always there to help. He worked hard and cherished his time with his friends and large extended family.
Coinciding with his retirement was the birth of his first grandchild, and like many grandfathers, he softened. He became Papa Joe. Now, loud noises and eating ice cream could happen at any time! Papa Joe reveled in the time he spent with his seven grandchildren. Much like his parents, he and his wife, Nona, created a central hub for their family. For the last 25 years, they took them to school and picked them up. Papa Joe loved teaching them to ride bikes, cook, and play games, and they, in turn, taught him how to use his iPad. During the twilight of his life, his wife Nona was his dedicated caretaker. Joseph “Keeson” Lee will be remembered as a man of great integrity, a devoted father, and a loving grandfather. His legacy of hard work, generosity, and unwavering commitment to family will live on in all who knew him.
He is survived by spouse, Winona K. Lee; children, Joyceline Lee (Kimo Kai), Jarrett Lee (Sheryl), Jerel Lee (Tootie Glendon); mother, Bertha Lee; granddaughters, Reyann, Ramsey, Kamelenahe, Riley, Lihaumaikalani; grandsons, ?Aukaiakea and Makali?i; siblings, Penny Sonomura, Mary Gayle Chock (Gary), Rowland Lee (Celine); brother-in-law, Stanley Hashimoto.
Services will be held on November 22, 2025 at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel, Waipio, Hawaii. Visitation 9:30 a.m., Memorial Service 10:30 a.m.
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