News Summary
Paul Holman Thieu Poa Lee, a renowned restaurateur in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer. Lee, co-owner of All-In Hospitality Group, was instrumental in revitalizing the local dining scene with his restaurants, including The Winchester and Donkey Taqueria. His contributions extended beyond the culinary world, impacting community initiatives and earning local recognition. A celebration of his life is planned as the community comes together to honor his legacy.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Paul Holman Thieu Poa Lee, a respected restaurateur known for his significant contributions to the culinary landscape of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away at the age of 51 on Saturday at his home. He died peacefully, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer that lasted nearly a decade.
Born on June 7, 1973, in Seoul, South Korea, Lee was adopted at the tender age of three following the death of his birth mother. He was raised in East Grand Rapids and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School, later attending Western Michigan University. Throughout his life, Lee’s resilience and passion led him to become a well-regarded community figure.
Together with his wife, Jessica Lee, he co-owned All-In Hospitality Group, which included three prominent restaurants in the city: The Winchester, Donkey Taqueria, and Hancock. These establishments played a pivotal role in revitalizing the East Hills neighborhood and transforming the Wealthy Street corridor into a popular dining destination.
The Winchester, which opened in 2008, marked Lee’s inaugural venture into the restaurant industry. Following this success, he founded Donkey Taqueria in 2013, known for its authentic Mexican flavors. In 2019, Lee expanded his restaurant portfolio with Hancock, which specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken—a testament to his diverse culinary interests.
In addition to his role as a restaurateur, Lee actively participated in local community initiatives, earning recognition from the East Hills Council of Neighbors for his dedication to neighborhood revitalization. His infectious humor, adventurous spirit, and love for cycling endeared him to many, demonstrating his ability to embrace life fully, even in the face of a cancer diagnosis received in 2016.
Lee is survived by his wife, Jessica, and their three sons: Oscar, 13, Harvey, 11, and Otis, 9. His dedication to family was evident in his love for spending quality time with them, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
The community will gather to celebrate Lee’s life with a funeral service at St. Thomas the Apostle in Grand Rapids on Thursday, May 8, followed by a luncheon. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at Zaagman Memorial Chapel from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A celebration of life is also planned for May 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Eastern Avenue Hall, allowing friends, family, and community members to pay tribute to his legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lee’s memory to the START Midwest Center for Cancer Research, honoring his fight against cancer and his commitment to bettering the lives of others.
Ingrid Miller, the executive director of Uptown Grand Rapids Inc., emphasized Lee’s remarkable influence on both the local restaurant scene and the community at large. His absence will be felt deeply, as he leaves behind a legacy of culinary excellence and community involvement.
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Additional Resources
- WOOD TV: Paul Lee, restaurateur who helped revitalize Wealthy Street, dies at 51
- Wikipedia: Paul Lee (restaurateur)
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Restaurateur Paul Lee remembered for putting Wealthy Street dining scene on the map
- Google Search: Paul Lee restaurateur
- MLive: Paul Lee, Grand Rapids restaurant pioneer, dies at 51 after cancer battle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Paul Lee restaurateur
- Hoodline: Grand Rapids mourns the loss of visionary restaurateur Paul Lee at 51
- Google News: Paul Lee Grand Rapids
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
