Sad News - Lee Morgan

Lee Morgan, a Capilano great, died on the evening of April 30, 2024 in a Victoria hospital with his wife, Pat, at his side. Born and raised in Oklahoma in 1939, played basketball (his favorite) and football at U of Kansas, served in the US Navy where he excelled as a champion boxer, Lee then came to Canada in the early 1960s, eventually settling on the North Shore and was introduced to rugby with the West Van Barbarians.

Lee was a dominant player in almost every game with the Capilanos throughout the 1970s, playing at the top level into his forties. Tough and immensely strong, it was his creativity with ball in hand that set him apart. From his #8 position he used new and surprising ways to distribute the ball to teammates, behind the back, through his legs, over his head, that often confused the opposition (and occasionally members of his own team). When done with playing Lee did some coaching in high-school basketball and rugby and continued to get out on the basketball court at every opportunity.

Lee and Pat moved to the Duncan area on Vancouver Island 13 years ago where they operated a llama farm, raised chickens, and enjoyed the semi-rural lifestyle. He now leaves behind his wife Pat, children Leslie, Robin (In-won), and Craig, grandchildren Ace and Digby, and in-laws, nieces and nephews in BC as well as relatives in the US.

Lee was a man of many qualities and some complexities beyond his obvious athletic talents. He had a beautiful singing voice; on the Capilano Irish tour of 1973 his post-game renditions of Danny Boy brought many a tear to the eyes of the Irish opposition. He came from a totally different world and background that was inconceivable to most of us, yet Lee became an integral part of the North Shore community, with many loyal friends, and was a valued member of the Maynard family for over 50 years. He will be terribly missed; we will not see his like again.

Denny Maynard on behalf of the Morgan-Maynard- Zuehlke families.