Otto "Terry" Terrance Lee

Otto Terrance Lee (known to most as “Terry,” to some as “OT” and to at least a few as “Mr. T”) passed away from complications of Covid and Lymphoma, on September 15, 2021 after having spent nearly 65 years on this earth. He was, quite simply, the best there ever was. Terry was born on October 16th, 1956 in Newtown Square, PA to his mother, Elizabeth, who absolutely adored him, his father, Otto Clarence, and his older brother, Ted. He grew up in a household where he learned to be loving and kind, judicious and fair, hardworking and overall a decent man. But his most important qualities surely weren’t taught, they were his birthright: an uncanny ability to make people feel happy when they were with him, to be the life of the party, to inspire laughter and warmth wherever he went. At the same time, he was a humble man who never seemed to realize that, for many people, he was standing on a pedestal that they watched with reverence. In high school at Marple Newtown he made a group of lifelong friends that love him deeply to this day. They used to spend their evenings sitting around his kitchen table chatting with his mom, Betty, for hours. She was everyone’s favorite -- and little did he know that he would one day step into his mother’s shoes and become such a loved figure for his own children’s friends. He attended the University of Dayton where he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen O’Brien (64, Centerville, OH), after she saw him playing flag football on a campus field. His long, 70s-style hair was likely what caught her eye in the beginning, but the way he loved this woman with his whole heart and soul is surely what kept them married for 42 years strong. She was everything to him and he was the love of her life. It was at this point, with Mary Ellen, when the rest of his life began. He married her on the 5th of May in 1979 in a tiny chapel in Newtown Square and officially joined a family of five lovely, and mostly crazy, Irish Catholic sisters of which Mary Ellen was the youngest. He loved her family as though they were his own and could always be counted on to keep their drinks -- and hearts -- full. He became close with many of his nieces and nephews, but the one that touched his heart is Casey (husband Paul). He thought of her as a daughter and loved her as one. He became successful in business, starting his career at Bush Truck Leasing company and working his way up over the years to eventually run a division of the business. Most recently, he ran a regional sales team for a Denver-based truck leasing company called Translease. They were ready to promote him to a national role when we lost him. He had never been happier or more successful in his career. In 1982, Terry became a father -- his most important role. His children, Adam (39, of Atlanta, GA) followed by Shannon (36, of Silver Spring, MD), knew him as a sturdy and supportive presence who never missed a soccer game or dance recital. He was extremely proud of their accomplishments and he guided each of them to value themselves and their own happiness. He taught Adam the importance of family and the value of being present. Adam is a better father and husband to his family because of the example he set. He taught Shannon to embrace being a rule follower because she clearly inherited this from him, and she learned to rely on his sense of integrity as a guidepost in her own life. She is a strong, confident woman today because he loved her. When they grew into adulthood, Adam and Shannon ultimately realized just how cool he actually was. He loved his music, kept an extensive record collection (before the medium went obsolete), and learned to dance while watching Soul Train on TV growing up in the 70s. True to form, he never hesitated to break out his moves for the delight of any curious friend, acquaintance or bystander. And his laugh -- well, it was quite a laugh he had. Shannon worked for years to try to emulate it to no avail. He was truly one of a kind. Terry was able to see both of his children marry the loves of their lives, Adam to Lauren and Shannon to Dan. From their father, Adam learned how to love, respect and cherish a talented and strong woman and Shannon learned how to demand that kind of love from another. He eventually became a Pop Pop to Eliza (5), Colin (3) and Ofelia (2). Though he will only have been in their lives briefly, he made his mark. Eliza will always miss his tickles, Colin will miss his best buddy and Ofelia, having just learned how to say “Pop Pop,” will come to know him well through countless stories, photos and laughter. A visitation for Terry will be held on Friday, October 15th, at Tobias Funeral Home (5471 Far Hills Ave. in Centerville) from 4 - 7 pm. In lieu of a service, the family will be hosting a celebration of his life the following evening of Saturday, October 16th -- his 65th birthday -- outdoors at the Yankee Trace Community & Pool Center (915 Yankee Trace Dr. in Centerville) from 4 - 8 pm. All who want to remember him are welcome. The family asks that because of the circumstances of his death, any eligible adult be fully vaccinated and wear a mask indoors in order to attend. Children are, of course, welcome as well. He was predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth & Otto C. Lee; step-mother, Frances “Pat” Lee; sisters-in-law, Peggy Jacobs & Eileen Stokes He is survived by wife, Mary Ellen Lee; son & family, Adam & Lauren Lee, Eliza & Colin; daughter & family, Shannon & Dan Kowalczyk, Ofelia; niece & family, Casey & Paul Johnston; brother, Ted Lee.