A burning desire to help others
As a kid growing up in Downingtown, Tom Lee would run after the fire trucks when a call came through. He felt connected to the fire department. After all, his two uncles served as chiefs there. That passion never left him, and the fire department became a huge part of his life. “I love helping others and the town,” says Tom.
Building a family
Born at Chester County Hospital, Lee considers himself a Downingtown “lifer.” He married his wife, Barbara, when they were 19. They had been married 40 years when she passed in 1997. During that time, they raised four children, two sons and two daughters. Tom spent 31 years in the computer industry, both as a programmer and as manager of information systems. Eventually, his love of firefighting led him to switch careers, and he began selling fire equipment.
Serving community
Tom followed in his uncles’ bootsteps and was a volunteer firefighter for 67 years. He is a Life Member of both the Alert Fire Company No. 1 of Downingtown and Minquas Fire Company No. 2 of Downingtown and East Caln. At Alert he has served as president, treasurer, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and two-term fire chief of the Downingtown Fire Department.
In January 2019, the Chester County Fire Chiefs Association recognized Tom and two other members “for their years of service as outgoing executive officers” as they completed their terms.
Tom was a charter member of the Fire Chiefs Association since it was formed in 1974. Over the years, he held various leadership positions in the group, including recording secretary, treasurer, and president. He also served on the committee that originated Chester County Fire Radio.
Leaving a legacy
Tom, who is Thomas E. Lee, Jr., moved to Simpson Meadows in 2019. He’s surrounded by his family here at Simpson Meadows; his son, Tom Lee III, is our director of facilities, his niece, Joanne Wills, is our concierge, and his grandson, Christopher Lee, is our maintenance manager. And one of his daughters, both sons, and two grandsons have followed the path he blazed and currently serve as volunteer firefighters, carrying on Tom’s legacy of service to others and to the community.
Call us today at 610-269-8400 or submit the form below to see for yourself why Tom and other heroic people choose Simpson Meadows for retirement living.