Jeff Lees was a great man who loved many things in life.
He loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved his Boston Bruins, his Port Hope Panthers and right along side that he love Port Hope – the place where he was born and grew up.
Jeff passed away suddenly on Sunday evening at home at the age of 62.
He proudly served his community as a Councillor and then Deputy Mayor for 25-years.
There are surely other things Lees loved, but mostly where I saw him was being an active members of Port Hope.
Whether it was as a Kinsmen with the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny, at a Panthers game, Legion member or talking politics, Jeff was a passionate person.
No one that ever knew him will deny that.
A number of years after first meeting Jeff, we had a spat, frankly, it’s been so long I’ve forgotten what it was about.
But I learned about his passion then – and never, ever again faulted him for it.
To people that knew Jeff, they were well aware of what he’s done for the community.
And for people that didn’t, the list is just simply too long.
A very proud citizen of Port Hope, and a town where the citizens should be proud of Jeff.
One of my last stories with Jeff was in June 2025. He was sitting on his front lawn helping out the “One Toonie at a Time” campaign for the healthcare services at the Port Hope Walk-In Clinic.
We shot the breeze more than anything else.
But through the generosity of the citizens, Jeff raised over $350.00 in just a few hours.
“Port Hope is a great community and a lot of people from other places have stopped by,” he told me.
Jeff was always so appreciative to the people who helped with causes for his community.
He had the radio on, enjoying the day, enjoying life and chatting with people. Always, always saying “thank you” for whatever amount was donated. But always, doing something for the community.
He was never, ever shy of giving his opinion. You listened to him, maybe even sometimes whether you wanted too or not. But you listened to him because he had a wealth of experience, not only as a councillor, but as a life-long resident of Port Hope. You couldn’t help but respect the man. His work ethic, his volunteerism.
It was “his” town and he knew it and the people better than anyone.
God, did he love Port Hope and Port Hope loved him back.
He loved his Boston Bruins as well. Hard core forever fan.
Same with the Panthers. Covering them every Saturday night I’d see him. He’d always be in his corner near where the team walked off the ice after every period.
Walking be at the end of each period, Jeff would always ask my son or daughter jokingly what they were doing with me?
We laughed, they laughed.
Jeff had health issues over the last few.
For a person who had a heart of gold, it’s hard to believe that it may have been what gave out.
I’m forever grateful to have spend each minute with him to share the smiles, the laughter, the debates, but most of all the friendship.
Like others, I can’t help but feel robbed of not spending more time with him.
It shouldn’t have ended this early in his life. He had to much left to give.
Port Hope just won’t be the same without him.
When I heard of the emergency at Jeff’s house, it was on Sunday evening.
At the time, Canada was playing Czechia in the World Juniors Semi-Finals and couldn’t help but wonder if Jeff was watching the game.
Canada lost, but I don’t think Jeff ever got to see the end of the game. Maybe that’s for the better. He’d hate to see Canada lose.
On Monday morning, Port Hope lowered their flags to half staff in honour of Jeff and I wanted to get that photo.
Arriving in front of the town hall, there was no wind – nothing.
As a photographer, no matter the occasion, taking a photograph of a flag that isn’t blowing in the wind downright sucks.
That was the case on Monday. Nothing you could do about it – it is what it is.
A town worker was there exchanging a tattered Port Hope flag for a new one, so I waited.
We spoke briefly how much we both respected Jeff and what he did for it not only as a councillor, but as a citizen.
When the worker started walking away after replacing the Port Hope flag, something happened.
The Port Hope flag started blowing in the wind.
The Canada and Ontario flag, not so much, but Port Hope was giving its best to proudly fly once again for its citizen of the year of 2023.
Maybe it was just the wind, maybe it was my eyes playing tricks, but it was my hope at the time, and still is now, that it was Jeff.
We’ll all miss him and so will the town he loved.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
