Lee Canfield Obituary

Lee Briggs Canfield

Lee Briggs Canfield, a long time resident of Arlington Heights, died peacefully at the age of 89 on September 2, at his home in La Grange. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Lee Canfield and Grace Betts Canfield, and was the youngest of three boys.

Mr. Canfield proudly served in World War II, in the European theater. After returning to the states from the war he studied chemical engineering at The Ohio State University. In 1956, after a brief time with Sunbeam Corporation, he followed in the footsteps of his father and found his true calling in a long and storied career as a life insurance agent for Northwestern Mutual. His love for people and their stories helped him earn many significant company and industry honors, including twice being in Northwestern Mutual's "Top Twenty" in annual production. He enjoyed mentoring younger agents, including his son Dennis.

Lee was a sailor who named his first boat "Go Bananas" because whenever he was on a boat, he would "go bananas!" He enjoyed bicycling in France into his early eighties, and skiing, cigars, good red wine, opera, and firecrackers. He once famously set off a powerful M80 under the lid of a Weber grill, sending it sky high, terrifying some of his backyard party guests and delighting others. He was quite a crooner, and enjoyed singing "Danny Boy" to anyone who would listen. People always did.

A lifelong conservative, Lee and his beloved wife of 42 years, Eloise, who died in 1995, were active in the Goldwater Presidential campaign, many local and congressional elections, and the Reagan Presidential campaigns of 1976, '80 and '84.

Lee was also actively involved in youth mentoring programs, and charities including Opportunity International.

Even as his health declined, Lee always had a smile on his face and a word of encouragement for everyone. He regularly expressed gratitude to his amazing God for everything from a baby's laugh, to a sunny day or a rainy day, to a particular flower that caught his attention, to any piece of beautiful music.

When it came to his five children and twelve grandchildren, Lee thought everything they did was the most amazing thing ever done. He liked to say, "every one of you is a winner!" In turn, his kids thank God for their amazing dad, his incredible optimism, and how he graciously embraced every moment of life to the fullest. Lee loved to laugh and make others laugh, and he lit up every room he entered. He would often say, "It doesn't cost any extra to have a good time!"

He is survived by his brother, Daniel Canfield of Toledo, Ohio; his children, Beverly (David) Hayes, Dwight (Gretchen) Canfield, David Canfield, Dennis (Anne) Canfield, and Betsy (Tom Meade) Hart - all in the Chicago area- and those twelve amazing grandchildren.

A service in celebration of Lee's life, and of thankfulness to God for that life, will be held on Saturday, September 13, at noon at the Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Road, Western Springs. A reception will follow.

For friends considering a memorial in Lee's honor, the family would be happy for contributions in his name made to the Wounded Warrior Project (WoundedWarriorProject.org), Chicago Hope Academy (ChicagoHopeAcademy.org), or Opportunity International (Opportunity.org).