Albert Otoyuk Victor Lee

Albert Otoyuk Victor Lee was born on January 22, 1940 to Flora Otoyuk Lee and Dan Lee in Mary’s Igloo, Alaska. 
He spoke of a wonderful childhood of hunting and fishing with his family.  He remembers his father who was a gentle giant with his children and only knew Inupiaq. 
He was raised in Mary’s Igloo, until he was nine-years-old, then moved to Teller to attend school.  He later went to Mt. Edgecumbe High School where he graduated and went into the military in 1960.  While attending high school he worked in the kitchen, he was an amazing cook and fed many throughout the years.
He spent three years in boot camp and then moved to Nome to work.  He worked construction with Uncle Gil Ozenna Sr.
He met Helen Piscoya in 1964 through his sister, Joanne and spouse Gil Ozenna Sr. After Helen met Albert, he would constantly visit her at the Glue Pot where she worked. She finally said yes to one movie and the rest was history! 
They were married on November 10, 1965 in Teller, Alaska. They were married for 60 years and had five beautiful, amazing children, later adopting Greyson, Jasmine, Tristan and CJ. 
They were boarding school parents at Nome Beltz High School for one year, mainly to Shishmaref and Teller children, who to this day consider them family.  They later were foster parents to so many children in and out of our region.
Albert held many positions including a land planner for Sitnasuak Native Corporation in 73, laborer for Burgess Construction in 73, Village Coordinator for Bering Straits Native Corporation and Correctional Officer II and Superintendent for City of Nome Jail from 1968 to 1973. 
Albert was active duty for the National Guard until January 1, 1980.
He then transitioned to Correctional Officer again in 1974 where he stayed with the State of Alaska.
He moved his family to Barrow in 1981 where he served as the Superintendent, but it lasted six months. He then realized the weather was not hunter friendly and he took his family back to Nome, where Albert retired from Corrections after 29 years total.  He saw many changes in corrections and trained many!  Many know Albert as Sgt. Lee and he made an impact in many lives.
As Albert raised his family in Nome, he taught his children how to live off the land and, most importantly, to respect the land.  He also taught many men how to hunt throughout the years. We have received many stories and respect for him.  His closest hunting partner was his son-in-law Dewey Koweluk.  They spent countless hours out on the land.When they would come home from their trips we would wait at his house for their stories filled with laughter and love. Those were trips that Albert talked about for years and loved visits from Dewey.  Not only with Dewey, but with his sons, nephews, and relatives.
Albert is survived by his brother Charlie Lee and wife Jennie, sister Joanne Ozenna, his wife Helen Lee, son Daniel Piscoya and wife Annette, daughter Bertha Koweluk and husband Dewey Koweluk, son Floyd Lee, daughter Flora Kunayak, and son CJ Lee. 
He was preceded in death by his father Dan Lee, mother Flora Miller, brother Floyd Lee, brother Edgar Lee and wife Margie Lee, brother Oscar Lee and wife Millie Lee, brother Kenneth Lee and son Greyson. 
Albert’s grandchildren are Derek Koweluk, Josephine Koweluk, Benny Piscoya and wife Jackie Piscoya, Cameron Piscoya and wife Brianne, Kendall Lee, Andy Piscoya, Andrew Koweluk and fiancé Erica Outwater, Sierra Brown and husband Gordon Iya, Meghan Piscoya, Madeline Koweluk and Taylor Brown; his foster children Rosemary Tootkaylok and Rosaleen Osterback. Albert enjoyed the company of many, many great grandchildren!  The grandchildren will hold many precious memories of Papa.
He will be missed immensely!