08/13/2025
What’s on my mind?
Lee Theodore is on my mind. It’s safe to say our entire community is holding Lee close in our thoughts. My heart aches for everyone who knew him, but especially for his family—his beautiful daughter, his sibling, and his mother.
Lee gave so much of himself to this community. I believe he would be deeply moved to see the outpouring of love, stories, and grief in his honour.
I first met Lee when I was 24, playing a weekly gig with Stéphane McAlear at Remington’s. Lee was there every week—radiating joy, energy, and an unshakable kindness. Since then, everywhere I turned, there was Lee. Over the years, I have had the privilege of photographing him countless times, hiring him for social media video campaigns, and capturing him in training videos. I even plastered his face on a billboard and the side of a bus. And every single time, Lee delivered—fully present, fully committed, entirely himself.
Yes, he could be eccentric, but he was always 100% pure of heart. His kindness and generosity toward others seemed boundless—so much so that I sometimes wondered if he left too little for himself.
Here are some images from our session when he was awarded Citizen of the Year. While he was known for his beaming smile and welcoming spirit, Lee also carried a quiet depth and seriousness that I wanted people to see. He was more than the “welcoming committee.” He was a philosopher, an activist, a friend, an advocate, a defender of the underdog, and—above all—a lover of people.
Our community must ensure that his legacy is never forgotten and that his daughter grows up knowing just how extraordinary her father was.