"Lee E. Dean, born December 1, 1947, passed away Friday at Mt. Carmel
Medical Center. If there are any known surviving family member's
please contact the MAEDER QUINT TIBERI FUNERAL HOME at 614-444-1185."

Lee, a 68 year old african american man, was one of our neighbors. He lived on the East Side, worked at Bodega in the mornings, cleaning, so the white hipsters could enjoy their snob beer, later that afternoon. After work, he rode the bus to our neighborhood, because his grandchildren live here with their mother. He and his son are estranged, and except for his three grandkids, he has no family.

I found the dichotomy of Lee's death, contrasted with Michael Jackson's demise, to be compelling, in the very least. One man dies of a heart attack, the world mourns - another man has a heart attack, dies, and his obituary is asking for any known surviving family members.

Lee has always been a comfortable presence on Martin Ave. He always had kind words or small talk as he passed. He was a genuine and consistent father figure for his three grandchildren, and all the other neighborhood kids as well. I know little of Lee's past, but I can guess that it was fairly responsible, with it's fair share of suffering and sacrifice. He seemed to be a good man. Apparently, he had a church he attended. His pastor actually offered to pay for his cremation.

I liked Lee. He will be missed.