For those of you looking for the Fort Dearborn Highlanders:
I am sorry to announce that the band has disbanded. If you would like further information on this, feel free to contact me at mail@fdhiglanders.com.
In the meantime, Hughie's tribute page will remain here for as long as I am able to keep it here.
Hughie "Tansie" Lee
1933 to 2006
A Note from the Webmaster:
I knew Hughie for an unfortunately short time. The man had an infectious personality and if he considered you a friend there is nothing he would not do for you. He was always quick to tell you his opinion, a story or just to sing you a song. He was also always quick to flirt with the ladies. I have always tried to live my life so that I never have any regrets but the passing of this wonderful man has left me with one that I will never be able to "pay up on." For the past year, he has wanted to buy a "prepare at home dinner" from a local restaurant. He wanted myself and my girlfriend to come over and share this with him and his wife. We always seemed too busy and now it will never happen. Take it from me, make the time to spend with the people that mean a lot to you because you may end up regretting the time you did not spend with them. I have nothing else I can say except for WE LOVE YOU, HUGHIE and you will be missed.
Hughie's Band Bio (supplied by Rachel, his wife)
Hugh "Tansie" Lee - Piper - Hugh joined the Fort Dearborn Highlanders in 1996 and was also affiliated with the Highland Guard Brigade (fire and police pipe band). Hugh has a long history of piping around the globe. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he was a "boy soldier" with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders where he became a Cpl Piper and Highland dancer. Among many accomplishments, he danced and piped at the Edinburgh Tattoo (5 times), and served as the piper at Stirling Castle. After completing his British Army service he attended college in London to study aircraft, and went on to enlist in the Royal Air Force where he worked on aircraft at various bases and combat zones. Hugh played with the RAF pipe bands and became Pipe Major of RAF Germany, and RAF Seletar Singapore. Upon retirement from the RAF, Hugh worked for a British contractor in Saudi Arabia where he oversaw maintenance and repair of military aircraft, operated a satellite airfield outside Riyadh, etc., etc. While working in Dhahran, a few expatriates formed the Algosaibi Pipe Band and Hugh enjoyed teaching and playing. A DREAM FULFILLED: While on vacation in China, Hugh donned his kilt and piped on the Great Wall (his wife hid on the sidelines - so sure he would be arrested!). To their amazement the Chinese police invited Hugh to join their festivities, served him beer and had him piping on "live TV". Hugh retired in 1996 to Winthrop Harbor, IL, and continues to mentor and teach piping at home. He enjoys music, poetry, reading, history and is a witty raconteur.
Hughie's
Obituary
Hugh Downie Lee
(May 20, 1933 - November 12, 2006)
"Tansie"
Hugh "Tansie" Lee, Piper, age 73 of Winthrop Harbor, born Hugh Downie Lee, May
20, 1933 in Glasgow, Scotland, passed away, November 12, 2006 in Winthrop
Harbor, IL. Hugh was the son of Mark Lee and Marion Downie Lee. Hugh joined the
Fort Dearborn Highlanders (Wheeling, Illinois) in 1996 and was also affiliated
with the Highland Guard Brigade (Zion, Illinois fire and police pipe band). Hugh
has a long history of piping around the globe. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he was
a "boy soldier" with the British Army's Argyll and Southerland Highlanders where
he became a Cpl Piper and Highland dancer. Among his many accomplishments, he
danced and piped at the Edinburgh Tatoo (five times, 1950-1954) and served as
the Piper at Stirling Castle. After completing his British Army service he
attended college in London to study aircraft engineering and went on to enlist
in the Royal Air Force where he worked on aircraft at various bases and combat
zones. Hugh played with RAF pipe bands and became Pipe Major of RAF Germany and
RAF Seletar, Singapore. Upon retirement from the RAF, Hugh worked for British
Aerospace (BAE) in Saudi Arabia where he oversaw maintenance and repair of
military aircraft, operated a satellite airfield outside Riyadh and other
assignments in Dhahran. In Dhahran, a few expatriates formed the Algosaibi Pipe
Band and Hugh enjoyed teaching and playing. A dream fulfilled: while on vacation
in China, Hugh donned his kilt and piped on the Great Wall. Hugh retired in 1996
to Winthrop Harbor, Illinois and continued to mentor and teach piping at home,
and was known to be a witty raconteur.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Rachel Lee of Winthrop Harbor; his son, Grahame
Lee of Dorchester, England; his daughter, Karen Lee of London, England; and his
granddaughter, Petrushka Lee of London, England. Hugh is one of nine children.
He is survived by three siblings, Sally Niel of Dunlop-Aryshire, Jessie Duffy of
East Kilbride, and Mark Lee of Kilmarnock, all in Scotland; and numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins. He is survived by his brothers and sister-in-laws, Mary Ann
Maki of Shawano, WI, Robert Thomas of Salem, WI, Gerald Zirkelbach of Kenosha,
WI, Thomas and Dawn Zirkelbach of Virginia, Patrick and Meg Zirkelbach of Vernon
Hills, and Donald and Jacqueline of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
May he rest in peace.
Hughie Moments
As I said in my earlier statement, Hughie was a man who loved to sing. My friend recorded Hughie on a practice night several months ago at the AmVets Post in Wheeling. We never knew that they would come to be his lasting legacy. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. (If anyone wants a copy, please contact me.)
Hughie imparting some "wise words." (Warning: Swear words in use)
Hughie singing one of his favorite songs
One
Last Toast
by Hugh Lee
My wish for you is happiness
Throughout the coming years
A carefree heart, a happy smile --
Contentment joy and tears.
I’ll play my pipes, just for you --
Jig, Strathspeys, and Reels.
Hornpipes and Slow Aires.
I’ll talk of where I’ve been.
The tales I’ll tell will make you smile
With songs and poems, too --
Like the Green-eyed Yellow Idol
Too the north of Khatmandu.
When you march beside me
and we’re skirling down the street --
Hear the Cockney Jock and Bonnie Lass
And the drummers’ lively beat.
The silver skirted Seaforths
That’s who we represent.
Dressed in McKenzie tartan –
A gallant, Highland Regiment.
The parade is done, We’ll have some fun.
Cold beer, Glen Fiddich, too.
Lads & Lassie of Fort Dearborne --
There was never such as you.
The joy you bring to people
Not just here in the band --
But everywhere they hear you play
In this great and lovely land.
Now I'm getting thirsty, so this doggerell I’ll end.
This toast I’ll give too absent friends.
So raise your glass on high --
Scotland and America, and a bonnie lass forbye.
