S. Lee Irish

Lee Irish, 97, died peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Bell Mountain Village where he had lived for the past year under the loving care of the very special staff there.

Lee was born in Niagara Falls, NY to Ralph and Beulah Irish. He had one brother, Harold, who preceded him in death.

Lee is survived by two daughters, Leanne (Barney) Tresnowski of North Barrington, Illinois and Maureen (Paul) Schwendener of Ketchum, Idaho. Lee had four grandchildren: Megan (Perry) Borgert of Huntley, Illinois, Kip Schwendener of Chicago, IL, Jeffrey (fiancee Jenny Kunze) Schwendener of Downers Grove, IL and Stephen and Yawara Ito-Schwendener of Fukuoka, Japan. Lee had three great-grandchildren: Skylar, Lily and Ella Borgert of Huntley, IL.

Lee attended DeVeaux School in Niagara Falls where he first became acquainted with the military. He found success athletically in baseball, basketball and as the soccer goalkeeper; he was voted "best on team" his senior year for his record of 7 shut-outs and 2 ties. Academically, things were mixed. He was superior in math and the sciences but one term he submitted a blank sheet of paper for a French final because he said "That is what I learned."

Lee worked most of his life for Union Carbide Corporation which took him and his family to places such as: Glen Ellyn, IL, Parkersburg, WV, Portland, OR, and Marietta, OH.

Lee only had eyes for one girl, Eleanor Hatfield. She fell in love too and they were married in Bremerton, WA in 1942 at a Naval Shipyard when Lee had a short leave before going to the Army OCS in N. Carolina. She took the train from Niagara Falls to Bremerton for their wedding.

Lee served in Europe and went ashore at Utah Beach. He fought at LeMans, Rennes, Fontainebleu and at the Bulge. Then he and his men proceeded into Germany. He was decorated repeatedly for his efforts.

In 1951 Lee was again drafted to Korea where he was assigned to S-2 Intelligence. He returned home in 1953. Lee joined the New York State National Guard and over the years attended many artillery schools. Later he joined the Illinois Army Active Reserves Unit, advising and training young soldiers who would eventually serve in Viet Nam. His last promotion was to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retirement.

Lee lost Eleanor to illness in 1996 and missed her always. His family will miss him always.

Private services will be held in Illinois at a later date. Memorials may be sent to: The USO PO Box 96860 Washington, DC 20077-7677