Lee E. Netter

Lee Edwin Netter, born March 10, 1942 in Greenfield, Massachusetts to Leo Netter and Gertrude (Pearsall) Netter grew up in Seaford on Long Island, New York. Lee proudly served in The U.S. Navy, additionally serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis after finishing his active duty. He achieved a B.S. degree in Agriculture from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Marine Science from C.W. Post College. While a Curator at the Nassau County Museum of Natural History at Takapausha, he met his wife of 53 years through her sister, a fellow employee. 

Beverley and Lee purchased their first home in Amity Harbor, New York a few months after marriage and had two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Erika. Lee taught high school Science and Math in Commack and East Meadow, and refereed Lacrosse, Wrestling, and Soccer. In 1987, the family moved to Cheshire, Connecticut while he commuted back to Long Island. In 1998, he retired from teaching on Long Island and began teaching Science and Math for Cheshire Academy and, in 2005, at Quinnipiac University as an adjunct professor.

A true car buff, Lee loved Ford Mustangs and road racing. His first race car was a 1964 Ford Mustang. Lee raced cars from the mid-sixties until the Vanderbilt Cup race in 1976 when he gave up personal racing after his first daughter, Nicole, was born. Later he acquired and restored several cars including a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang and his dream car, a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang. Racing remained a focal point of family life with his annual trips to Lime Rock and his frequent attendance at various car shows. Lee collected Lionel trains and frequently attended local train shows with family and had an impressive track system at home. 

The family traveled all over the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean and made many friends. He spent summers with family and friends in Hilton Head, S.C., and enjoyed kayaking, bike riding, and walking with his wife and daughters. He spent time boating in the Sea Ray and fishing in the Whaler. He was looking forward to fishing the Salmon River with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren this summer. 

He was active in his community, participating in raising money and helped install the original Bartlam Park playground. He was a member of the Cheshire Environmental Commission and served as the Chairperson during the time the Cheshire Linear Trail was approved. 

Dearly loved by many, Lee died peacefully January 9, 2025 in Connecticut in the heart of his family. He is survived by his wife, Beverley, his daughters Nicole and Erika, son-in-law Jonathan, and three grandchildren, Annabel, Jonathan, and Nicholas, and sister-in-law Kathryne. He is further blessed to have many loving nieces, grandnieces, nephews, and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Claudia, and his brother Britt.

Calling hours for Lee will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, 615 South Main St., Cheshire, CT. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.