Alan Lee, of Granville Island's Lee's Donuts, dead at 70

Alan Lee, who founded and ran the popular Lee’s Donuts in the Granville Island Public Market, has died at age 70.

The amiable owner of one of the market’s original vendor spots passed away on September 19, three days from the 35th anniversary of his opening day. Lee had been dealing with a kidney ailment for several years.

Lee and his wife, Betty-Ann, attended Granville Island’s July 1979 kickoff and decided to start their business there, securing a lease within weeks.

Ever since, their cosy spot just inside one of the market’s south doors has been a mecca for lovers of fresh-made doughnuts, locals and vistors alike, many of whom know the fryer schedule and show up to get their favourites while they are still warm.

The Lees, who were proud of being a family business with long-time employees, always resisted the lures of franchising their storied name, fearing their product’s quality would slip. The doughnuts are made with whole eggs, fried in vegetable shortening, and the fillings are locally sourced, where possible (fresh raspberry jam, for instance, plumps the jelly doughnuts).

The honey-dipped doughnut has long been the most popular treat sold at Lees, although fans of the mango, Bavarian cream, and chocolate versions have kept the counter staff busy for decades. (An annual favourite of many, the October-only pumpkin cake doughnuts, goes on sale in two days.)

The Mount Pleasant Funeral Home chapel hosted a celebration of Lee’s life on September 27, followed by burial at Burnaby’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. Condolence messages may be sent here. A condolence book is also open on the counter at Lee’s Donuts, along with a display of photos.