Obituary of Lee Blaise Lewand

Age 57 of Highland Park, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday June 12, 2021 after a well lived life and a super-human battle with cancer. Lee was born March 7, 1964 to the late Leonard J. Lewand and the late Margaret (Gimera) Lewand Petruna. Lee and his best friend Stephanie (Mick) Lewand began their love story in Heinz Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh on December 1, 1990. Undeterred by a pandemic, they flew off to Florida in December to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. He often greeted Stephanie with a stolen line from one of his favorite movies, The Patriot: “It does me good to see you.” Lee will forever remain in residence in the hearts of his four precious children, Taylor Lee, Julia Elizabeth, Ramsey James, and Christian Blaise, all at home. It’s evident to those who know them, just how much Lee is part of who they are. The difficult days of slaying dragons were fueled by his deep desire to spend every possible day loving them. Lee was a graduate of St. Agnes grade school, Greensburg Central Catholic HS, and the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration. Lee worked for several major Pittsburgh based construction companies until he opened his own consulting business in 2004. The move was a bold one during uncertain economic times, but he was on a mission: his children were growing up and he didn’t want to miss any of it. Being his own boss provided him the flexibility to coach 26 of their sports teams including softball, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. He traveled a lot in those early entrepreneurial years but somehow always managed to make it home on time for their practices and games. He was, by far, their biggest fan. His gentle coaching philosophy was rooted in making sure the kids learned, gave their very best, and had fun doing it. There are young adults all over the city who still called him Coach Lee, long after they’d hung up their uniforms. Lee was a life-long student of American history. He always looked for opportunities to pass that passion on to his children. There was never a family vacation that didn’t mysteriously include a visit to a museum, a fort, or a historic site. He loved to tell the story of how years ago he made the kids march along the site of Pickett’s charge in Gettysburg on a 90+ degree July day with their cousins - a living history lesson they’ll never forget. His faith and relationship with God were very important to Lee. He was a long-time member of St. James parish in Wilkinsburg where he was on parish council and a lector at the Sunday 8:30 am mass. He joined Sacred Heart parish in recent years. Lee also routinely attended East Liberty Presbyterian church - home for his wife and his “1/2 Presbyterian-1/2 Catholic kids”. His Sunday morning routine allowed just enough time to slip quietly into the pew beside his family after leaving mass. He had a repeating role in the ELPC Christmas pageant dressed as a shepherd holding one of his stage-frightened sheep. Lee was a friend, and often a mentor, to those who were blessed to make his acquaintance. Although he could never remember where he laid his keys, glasses, or wallet, he’d always remember your favorite book, your first job, or where your kids went to college. He was a true gentleman and integrity was his middle name. Humbly, he made the world a better place according to God’s plan for his life. Besides his parents Lee was also preceded in death by his brother Leonard J. Lewand, Jr. and step-father, John T. Petruna. He is survived by his beloved brother Lance (Lisa) Lewand, of Townsend, MA and many much-loved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. Everyone should be lucky enough to cross paths with a man who will change something inside you forever. Lee was, by all accounts, one of those men. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 Friends received at McCabe Bros., Inc. Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut Street, Shadyside on Monday, 2-4 and 6-8 pm, where Funeral will commence on Tuesday at 9 am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial in St. Jude Parish, Sacred Heart Church at 10 am. Graveside prayers will follow at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park. Per CDC rules, unvaccinated persons will be required to wear masks. In remembrance of Lee’s desire for life, please consider a memorial donation in Lee’s name to Hillman Cancer Center: Please also consider honoring his battle with the gift of a blood donation: Vitalant.org Condolences may be left at www.mccabebrothers.com