Lee Auto Malls founder Shep Lee dies
Shepard "Shep" Lee, founder of Lee Auto Malls, philanthropist and an active member of Maine's business community, died Wednesday night at the age of 83.
Beyond founding Lee Auto Malls -- one of the state's largest auto dealerships with 20 locations and credit centers in the state -- Lee was active in a number of Maine organizations, including serving on the Maine Community College System's board of trustees, the University of Maine Law School's board of visitors and the University of Southern Maine's School of Business's advisory board, according to a statement from Gov. John Baldacci's office. Lee received the Muskie Access to Justice Award in 2004, and earlier this year was nominated for appointment to the board of directors of the Finance Authority of Maine, on which he had previously served. "His tireless advocacy for economic development is unmatched, as is his lifetime of philanthropy and dedication to Maine communities," Baldacci said in the statement.
According to Bangor news channel WLBZ, Lee donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state's schools, organizations and charities, and was an active supporter of legal aid providers in Maine. Lee was a staunch Democrat and began involving himself in politics in the 1950s, a time when there were few business people prominent in the Democratic Party, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Go to the story from WLBZ >>
Go to the article from the Portland Press Herald >>
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