Résumé

Draftsman, James W. O'Connor, Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1937-1938.

Draftsman, Randolph Evans, Architect, San Francisco, CA, 1938-1940.

Architect, Workmen's Compensation, San Francisco, CA, 1940-1943.

Private, US Army Air Forces (USAAF), 1943-1946. Lee enlisted in the military on 09/15/1943 in Buffalo, NY. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 14928; Reel: 4, accessed 08/30/2022.)

Partner, [Paul A.] Ryan and Lee, Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1946-1960. According to his obituary, Ryan and Lee were a firm "...specializing in ecclesiastical design...." It stated: “His San Francisco firm of Ryan and Lee was associated in the designing of the new Catholic cathedral in San Francisco, and was the architect for St. Sebastian’s Church in Greenbrae, Blessed Sacrament Church in Santa Venetia, and the school and rectory for St. Rita’s Church in Farifax.” (See “John Lee,” San Rafael Daily Independent Journal, 08/11/1967, p. 4.) In 1955, the Ryan and Lee office was located at 305 Grant Avenue in San Francisco. (See "Lee, John Michael," American Architects Directory, 1956, George S. Koyl, ed., [New York: R.R. Bowker Company, 1955], p. 324.)

Architect, Angus McSweeney, Paul A. Ryan, and John Michael Lee, Associated Architects, San Francisco, CA, c. 1963. This triumvirate worked on the design of Saint Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.

Professional Activities

When surveyed in 1955, Lee reported having been a registered architect in the States of CA and OH. (See "Lee, John Michael," American Archtiects Directory, 1956, George S. Koyl, ed., [New York: R.R. Bowker Company, 1955], p. 324.)

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Northern Calfiornia Chapter.

When surveyed in 1955, Lee indicated that he had been NCARB certified. (See "Lee, John Michael," American Archtiects Directory, 1956, George S. Koyl, ed., [New York: R.R. Bowker Company, 1955], p. 324.)

College

B.S., Architecture, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, 1932-1936.

M.Arch., Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 1937.

Relocation

Architect John M. Lee had roots in Salamanca, NY. His family continued to live in Salamanca when the 1920 US Census was taken, living in a rented residence at 34 Wildwood Avenue. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Salamanca Ward 3, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: T625_1088; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 100, accessed 08/30/2022.) His family was Catholic, and his religion likely was of great significance to him during his life. He attended the Catholic University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, during the early-to-mid 1930s, and worked closely on churches and other buildings for the Catholic Archdiocee of San Francisco as an architect.

In 1953, he and his family resided at 26 Los Cerros Drive in then unincorporated place, Greenbrae, located south of San Rafael and north of Larkspur. (See San Rafael, California, City Directory, 1952-1953, p. 79.) He lived at this address until his death in 1967.

Lee passed away from cancer at the Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, CA, at the age of 53. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA.

Parents

His father was Tom Lee (born c. 1890 in NY), who worked as a railroad engineer in 1920. His father's parents both had been born in Ireland. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Salamanca Ward 3, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: T625_1088; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 100, accessed 08/30/2022.)

Katherine Lee (born c. 1887 in NY), John's mother, managed the household and also descended from Irish parents.

Spouse

He married Eunice H. Lee.

Children

He and Eunice had two children: John Michael Lee, Jr., and Susan Lee.

Biographical Notes

When surveyed in 1955, Lee indicated having traveled in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. (See "Lee, John Michael," American Archtiects Directory, 1956, George S. Koyl, ed., [New York: R.R. Bowker Company, 1955], p. 324.)

• Salamanca, NY (Architect's Birth)
  Salamanca, NY

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