06/05/2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our founder, past president, and dear friend, Todd Granville Lee.
One evening in 1996, Todd Lee and Anne Witherby looked out of Anne’s Beacon Hill apartment window at the Mass State House dome and asked the simple question: “Why isn’t that lit? Other great cities celebrate their significant civic buildings at night.” That observation was the beginning of LIGHT Boston, a non-profit advocacy group promoting aesthetically pleasing and responsible exterior lighting for the city that Todd loved.
Todd grew up in Manhattan but made Boston his home for most of his life. He was a classic gentleman, showing up at LIGHT Boston board meetings in a blue blazer, scarf or bow tie, and a bicycle helmet. He biked all over the city. He loved cities. He was an urbanist, and a stalwart advocate for making urban spaces livable and beautiful, by day and by night. His hand sketches, design acumen, and understanding of community engagement made him a successful architect, receiving the highest honor and membership title of Fellow from the American Institute of Architects. In 2024, Todd received a Community Spirit award for his contributions to the profession and to the community, and for having founded LIGHT Boston.
After almost 30 years of inspiration, motivation, and unwavering optimism, LIGHT Boston is proud to continue Todd’s enthusiasm and vision of creating attractive, sustainable, and responsible lighting for all of the great neighborhoods of Boston.
There will be a memorial service at King’s Chapel, Boston, on Monday, June 9th, at 11:00 am.
Obituary: https://www.sampsonchapels.com/obituaries/Todd-G-Lee?obId=42621772
