Obituary of Wayne Henry Lee

     Mr. Wayne Henry Lee, 81, of Floyd, NY, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, with his loving family by his side.

     Wayne was born in Utica, on December 10, 1941, the son of Harry and Susie (Woodward) Lee and received his education in Utica schools. On January 21, 1961, Wayne was united in marriage with Barbara Ann Monaski at Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica, a loving and devoted union of 61 years until Barbara’s passing on March 6, 2022. At one time, Wayne was employed with the city of Utica, later with General Electric Company and Indium Corporation and for over 25 years, with ConMed Corporation, retiring in 2007.

     Wayne was an avid sports enthusiast, and especially enjoyed going to Herkimer College Basketball games, proudly cheering on the team and his son, coach Matt Lee. He was also a big NY Jets, NY Rangers and Nevada Golden Knights fan. One of Wayne’s greatest sports memories happened last year, when his son Christopher surprised him with hockey tickets to a NY Rangers playoff game.  

     One of his favorite pastimes was watching a good horror movie and would often watch the same movie multiple times.      

     Wayne often talked of the fact that his father was 100 percent American Indian and how proud he was to be a part of the American Indian culture.  

     Wayne’s life was filled with much love and joy, but none was greater than the love he felt being able to spend every day with his beloved wife Barbara.  

   Mr. Lee is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Phil Aiello of Holland Patent and Barbara and Gary Cingranelli of Stittville; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Scott Lee and Michelle Higginbothem of Utica, Christopher Lee and his fiancée, Katie Della Bella of Las Vegas, NV and Matt and Kim Lee of Deerfield; A special family member, Joe “Joe Joe” Aiello of Holland Patent; ten cherished grandchildren, Jennifer Racquet and her husband, Lenny, Jr. and Philly Aiello; Jason Cingranelli, Jeremy Cingranelli and his wife Tabatha, and Elizabeth Cingranelli; Spencer Lee and Olivia Lee; Jordan Lee and Dajuan Hudson, Matthew Lee, and Jaydan Lee; eight adored great grandchildren, Lenny, III and Katie Fedor, Austin, and Cole; Emma and Oliviana; Rylee, Natalie, and Connor and he was anxiously awaiting the birth of his 9^th great grandchild. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Shirley Lee as well as several nieces and nephews and his canine companions, Cooper and Henry. He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Klotz and brother, Carl Lee.

     Visitation for family and friends is Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica, followed by a funeral service at 6:00 p.m. at the conclusion of visitation. He will be laid to rest, with his beloved Barbara in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Yorkville. Those wishing to make a donation in Wayne’s memory, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.