Secretariat

Lee Abbott

Mr Lee Abbott, Residence Service Supervisor for Henry Price Residences, died suddenly on 4th March 2012, at the age of 62.

Lee came to the University in September 2008.  His extensive and diverse experience before that time included long spells as an extremely accomplished professional musician, proprietor of a furniture store in Leeds, and as logistics controller for a computer company in Wakefield. 

Settling easily and well into his duties at Henry Price, Lee rapidly became a valued and trusted colleague, who took considerable pride in ensuring the delivery of high standards of service across the site; where circumstances required, he showed himself ready to assume additional responsibilities to ensure those standards were not compromised.  He had a very good rapport with residents and visitors alike.

Lee will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and students past and present, who join together in offering their profound condolences to his wife, Shirley, other family members, and his friends.

The following tribute to Lee has been prepared by his family:

"Lee’s death has been a cruel shock to his beloved wife Shirley, his children Tom and Pud, and to the dear friends who were in his warm and generous company on his last day. He leaves behind many more to whom this sudden loss seems barely comprehensible.

Lee was an exceptional bass player and the majority of his career was spent with Magna Carta. He will be remembered as one of the finest fretless players of his generation, with a huge enthusiasm for originality and a passion for new music.   He balanced a professional touring life with raising a young family and always brought home exotic presents and wonderful stories.

Lee took pride in his work at the University and felt particularly committed to the welfare of the students under his care. He very much enjoyed being part of university life and spending time with his colleagues. So many from the University have extended their kind thoughts and sympathies to the family at this time of grief, which reflects the high regard and care that Lee held them in, too.

The funeral will be held at St John the Baptist, Knaresborough, HG5  9AR, at 12.00 noon on Monday the 19th of March. Please do not feel obliged to wear black. Donations in lieu of flowers please to the Musicians Benevolent Fund and the British Heart Foundation."