Cousin Gwen here.

I was #2 of the 20+ cousins with Hyman being #1.  Not living in San Diego,  I only saw him maybe once a year when our family would take vacations to visit our grandmother and many aunts, uncles, and cousins there.  And being so much younger than him meant that I didn’t have many opportunities to get to know him except at the (large) family dinners when we’re in town.  

I loved his ready smile, his ambitions and work ethics, and his commitment to our larger family.   As cousin Cindy said, we all looked up to him (figuratively and physically) and will miss him.  I am sad thinking that he is not living somewhere in his fancy suites and cars.

We all thank step-daughter Julianne for caring for him in his last year.  Rest in peace “cuz”.

Cousin Jerry here, son of Auntie Ida's younger brother Art.
Although I'm about 11 years younger than Hyman, when he was in law school, and he came back to visit his parents in San Diego, he would take the time to visit with my family, and we spent several afternoons playing handball. He also loved cars! During those summers, I remember he would drive the family's Oldsmobile 442! When I finally made it to college, he bought his first Porsche, a mid engine 914. I remember he took driving lessons, and had so much fun!

Years later, in 2015, when I was diagnosed with end stage cancer(by God's grace I'm better!), he would send notes of encouragement that I would get well.

I will miss him.

Hyman played accordion in a marching band.  This is a photo taken 69 years ago, in December 1954, in front of our house on Hamilton St. (next door to Grandma Hom's, which you can't see in the picture).  The little folks from left to right are me (Cindy), brother Jerry, Joann (from the Lee side of the family), and Gwai Ling.  Did I mention how we all looked up to him?

Cousin Cindy here.  
Hyman was the eldest of many cousins, and I was #3 in line (after Gwen).  He was a quite the role model for us...what a smart guy!  I remember that Hyman was on the local TV news when he graduated from SDSU with a 4.0 GPA , back in the day when GPA's didn't get any higher!  The news video showed him walking to his desk in the back room of Uncle Hyman and Aunt Ida's house in National City (aka home of many, many Christmas parties) and typing away on his typewriter.  He went on to Harvard University Law School and came back with stories of, to us, exotic foods like bagels and lox, and initially being invited to join various Jewish organizations because of his name!  He went on to work at, I believe, the San Diego City Attorney's office and/or the California Attorney General's office...then at some point went to work at Zenith Insurance Company where he had an extremely lengthy career as a premier business attorney.  He was a driver of fancy cars and a GQ style dresser (Pam mentioned to me how amazing he looked in his Armani suit when she first laid eyes on him)!  
We will miss you, Cousin!

I’m Mark Neil. My mom is Helen Neil my Aunt Ida’s sister. Hyman Jr. was my cousin.
One year we were at my Aunt Dolly’s house for Thanksgiving. Cousin Hyman Jr. was there and he and I were watching Jeopardy. Quietly, I could hear him answering all the questions (correctly) before the contestants were buzzing in to answer. That was probably one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. He cleared the board getting all the right answers. Incredible! May peace be upon him and his family. He will be missed. Mark Neil

OBITUARY

Hyman Joe Lee

September 8, 1942 – December 9, 2023

Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service

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