New Britain herald., 1925-08-04
VETERAN EMPLOYE
 OF THE A.P. DIES
Richard Lee Was Ship Reporter
 Since 1878

Lee. ship news reporter at Quaran- tine, for The Associated Press since January 1, 1878, died at his home in Eosebank, Staten Island.
 Mir, Lee, who was Il years of ago was taken i'll early in June, then abandoning his post for the first time in notable career. Dr. George Mord, who attended him, declared his illness as general septic poisoning resulting from an infected tooth. Owing to his advanced age and the fact that Mir. Lee, in pursuit of his calling often involving physical ex- posture and other hardships, had never favored himself the infection slowly but surely extended in spite of various treatments to which re- sort was had.
 MT. Lee began his career s mar inc reporter first as an employe of the New York Herald, collecting re- ports at Quarantine and carrying them to the office in New York, then land long afterwards at Broadway and Ann street, later the site of the St. Paul building. When the Herald gave Up its individual service and began receiving that of the New York Associated Press, Lee went to that organization. He continued in press association work, becoming member of the staff of the present | Associated Press when that assoCia- ton came into existence.
 Born In Ireland
 Mir. Lee was born in Ireland. He came to this country with his par ents when he was 13 years of age. his home being first in Boston. He came to New York soon after attain ing his majority and had his first long and satisfying view of New York harbor. From then on the sea and ships filled his mind and he never after lost sight for more than few hours at time of scene that was 10 him surprisingly beautiful and in addition provided q daily ad- venture that was his meat and drink His birthplace was Waterford, Ire land,
 MT. Leet's home in Rosebank was at TOT Tompkins avenue. He is survived by widow and two sons, Richard Lee, Jr, of Boston, and Charles Beresford Lee, who lived with his parents and stepson. John D. Lancaster of Philadelphia.
 At the New York office of the As sociated Press, news of the deat II which occurred at o'clock this morning was not made known until 9 o'clock was received with profound sorrow. He had become an institu- ton of the service and his unfailing devotion 10 his duties, unquestion- able reliability and kindly person. ality, won him the regard and friendship of his associates,
 Perhaps no ship news reporter in the world had so wide an acquaint- ance among ship master and officers as Mr. Lee. From the time that he
 first climbed over the side of an in coming vessel on January 1, 1878 he made friends of commanders and crews. They looked, upon arrival first for "Dick" Lee.
 With the changes in the fashion of newspaper work, he survived, and his career linked the present with the past, His first visits to incoming vessels were made in a roWboat In recent years he was one of the few privileged to board vessels ahead of the custom officers.
 At sunpise, he went aboard the custom boarding cutter with the health officers and proceeding down the bay, visited each new arrival in company with these officers. This work continued for many hours. His day was sunrise to sunset. He always got the news and got it right. He was rarely if ever inn posed upon. Sclf-eXploiting voyages and spinning sailors amused him but left no lasting impression on his journalistic mind.
 He worked seven days week because ne feluSCQ to WOIh ICSS. A few years ago the Associated Press wished 10 give him an assistant and tried 10 suggest tacttully to him that his increasing responsibilities were inconsistent with his advancing years.
 He scoffed at the suggestion and proudly asserted that he never had
 been sick a day in his life. It was with difficulty that his family per suaded him 10 stop his work when his condition suddenly became alarming in the early summer and the only word that came 10 his of fee from the sick man was that he would soon be "on the job" again.
 A Dutcbman has started to walk around the world. The trip is eX-