Trade Regrets: Lee Donais

On April 26, NAMM‘s Dan Del Fiorentino sent along the following sad news:

Long time retailer and former NAMM Board member Lee Donais passed away on Friday. His family announced his passing on Facebook over the weekend. Lee was 74 years old.

Lee may have been the only industry member who played piano (as part of the Navy Band) for three United States Presidents: Johnson, Nixon and Ford.  After his career with the Navy Band, Lee was hired by Gordon Keller to help run his string of piano stores on the east coast.  Lee moved to Florida and worked with former NAMM President Chuck Hale for eight years.  Lee’s business knowledge along with the fact that he was a musician not only led to his partnership with Gordon Keller but also his success as a strong supporter within the industry, including serving as a member of the NAMM Board of Directors from 1981-1984.