Ben Lee was remembered Saturday as an influential yet unassuming community builder, who through his work as a teacher, long-time city councillor, volunteer and local leader helped make 91大黄鸭, the city he loved, a better place.

Lee, who died last week at the age of 86, came to 91大黄鸭 in the 1950s as the first male Chinese teacher in the B.C, Interior and settled in Rutland, where he taught before moving on to the old Dr. Knox Secondary School.

On Saturday afternoon, under sunny skies in Ben Lee Park鈥攖he popular Rutland park that bears his name鈥攈undreds turned out to remember Lee at a public celebration of his life.

It followed a private funeral service for Lee earlier in the day.

During the ceremony, they heard a string of local politicians speak about how the genial Lee, instrumental in the creation of many local parks, who helped start the 91大黄鸭 Multicultural Society and the annual Folkfest event held each Canada Day, who served on both city council and the regional district board and who worked so hard to make both his beloved Rutland and the entire city of 91大黄鸭 better, touched their lives.

"He was one of our greatest citizens and community leaders," said Mayor Colin Basran.

"Ben has a special gift of being able to do so much, so quietly and so well."

West 91大黄鸭 Mayor Doug Findlater, who said he knew Lee for 50 years and was a former student of his at Dr. Knox, called Lee's gentle way of getting things done "quiet diplomacy."

91大黄鸭-Lake Country  MLA Norm Letnick said when he decided to first run for public office here鈥攁s a city councillor鈥擫ee's door was the first one he knocked on seeking advice.

Lee served on council from 1973鈥攚hen Rutland was forced to amalgamate with 91大黄鸭鈥攖o 1996.

Lee, who was affectionately known as "the Mayor of Rutland," is survived by his wife of his wife Joyce and their two sons.