Matthew John Lee

Matthew J. Lee, age 81 of Plymouth, Michigan, passed away on December 8, 2025.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 29, 1944 to his parents, the late Helen M. (née Miller) and Robert L. Lee. Preceded in death by brothers John E. (Patricia) Lee, Fr. M. Owen Lee and Robert E. Lee.

Matthew was the loving father of two children – Edward (Linda) Lee and James (Ryan Bissell) Lee; proud grandfather of Thomas Lee and Andy Lee. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his brother, Vincent N. (Christine) Lee and his many nieces and nephews.

Matthew was mechanical; as a vocation as well as for an avocation. His career spanned teaching machine theory and automotive repair classes at both Schoolcraft and Washtenaw Community Colleges, tool and die work at multiple companies, and finally, as a technical writer for General Motors and Ford Motor Company.

He loved history. Matthew self-published several books on the histories of fire departments as well as the apparatus used in fire-fighting. He was active in the Detroit Public Library’s Automotive History Collection as well as instrumental in the development of the Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Matthew was an avid collector of antique fire trucks having restored over sixty. For forty-five years, he was a proud participant in the annual Good Morning USA Fourth of July Parade on Main Street in Downtown Plymouth. Each year, to the  delight of all neighbors and visitors to the Plymouth parade, he would drive one of his prized antique fire trucks with signage reading, “Same Day Fire Service”.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Visitation will resume on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M at which time Funeral Mass will commence at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, Michigan.

Matthew will be laid to rest at Parkview Memorial Cemetery.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Matthew Lee are invited to consider a contribution to (at this link): Michigan Firehouse Museum. Contribution envelopes will also be available at the Funeral Home.