Lee Anthony Rea 1937-2025

Lee Anthony Rea, widow and beloved father, passed away peacefully in Grand Rapids on June 21, 2025.

Lee was born in Chicago, Illinois in September 1937 to Alda and Leon. An only child, he excelled in swimming, enjoyed fishing in Lake Michigan and went on to attend Loyola University followed by Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine where he earned his doctorate. As a practicing surgeon for more than 40 years, his career took him to Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Phoenix, and finally to Grand Rapids where he had a successful surgical practice and became the director of a wound care clinic.

He was an avid self-taught woodworker and learned boatbuilding while living in Grand Rapids. He collaboratively built different styles of boats with friends and with his son, David, one of which won second place at the wooden boat show in Hessel, Michigan. He spent many years custom building the 21' motor launch Perseverance which became his pride and joy and which he took out on both the east and west coast of Lake Michigan.

In 2010, at 72, Lee was forced into an early retirement when he suffered a brain aneurysm. The last fifteen years of his life were spent in the care of others, including his devoted wife, his daughter Lauralee, his son David and his wife Gina, the caregivers at Sunrise of Cascade -  especially his primary caretaker there, Tawana, who showed him great kindness and compassion - and for the last seven months, the caregivers at Edison Christian Life Services. For all of his caregivers, we are eternally grateful.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Lauree, and is survived by all of his children, Christopher (Kara), Lauralee, Annemaree, and David (Gina) and grandchildren Milan, Ethan, and Bella.

A Celebration of Lee's Life will be held at the beautiful riverside Grand Ravines Lodge on Thursday, September 25 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. There will be food and refreshments as we celebrate Lee. Grand Ravines Lodge, 9920 42nd Avenue, Jenison, Michigan, 49428.