Stanley Gee

Stanley Gee, a Lab retiree and founder of a business that helped introduce Asian culture to the Tri-Valley, died May 21 at his Alameda home. He was 94.

Gee fled from China to the United States at 18. He served in the Army during World War II. He married his wife, Amy, after she had immigrated to the United States after the war to escape the communists. They bought their first home in Hayward, from one of the few developers willing to sell to Asian Americans, after being turned away from new home subdivisions in Castro Valley and San Leandro.

Gee, his wife and their family eventually moved to Livermore, where he worked as a mechanical design draftsman for the Lab. In 1970, the Gees opened Bazaar Canton, a store that offered imports and cooking supplies, bringing Asian culture to the eastern suburbs. The Gees later opened a second store in Dublin. They retired and moved to Alameda in 1988.

Gee was an original season ticket holder of the Oakland Raiders and never missed a game from their inaugural 1960 season until they left for Los Angeles after the 1981 season. He renewed his devotion to the team after its 1995 return to Oakland.

Gee is survived by his wife, Amy, an accomplished artist, and three sons, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.