Benny Yee, Mayor of Sunset Irving Street, passes at 91

(SAN FRANCISCO) Benny Yee, a long serving federal, state and San Francisco city commissioner, business and political leader, passed away on July 9 at the age of 91.

Yee was also named as the “Mayor of the Sunset Irving Street” to recognize his popularity and influence at the Irving Street commercial corridor in the Sunset District.

He founded his real estate company, Benny Yee & Associates, which has been located on Irving Street for decades. He was also the owner of Uncle Benny Cafe, a popular and political event venue, on Irving Street.

For the past 40 years, Yee had never left Irving Street for a single day. As a resident of the Marina neighborhood, he would come to spend most of his time everyday at the office, his cafe and walking on Irving Street chatting with merchants and community members.

Uncle Benny Cafe has been well known for numerous political events. Elected officials, political candidates and police department would usually hold their press conferences in front of the Cafe if they want to reach out to the Sunset District residents. Yee was always invited to the events where he enjoyed attending and speaking.

Although Yee was a Republican, it didn't stop him from making a lot of powerful friends from the Democratic Party at local, state and federal levels.

Yee had never retired for a day. Cecilia Yee, one of Yee's two daughters, agreed. Earlier last year, Yee was first diagnosed with lymphoma. “He was very brave to fight against the cancer and finished five rounds of chemotherapy. It was all clear," said Cecilia. But the recurrent leukemia came back at a later time. Yee was willing to take the challenge again to finish another six rounds of chemotherapy.

"It was all clear again," Cecilia said. But shortly before Yee's 91st birthday on June 24, the cancer cells were back for the third time. Yee died in UCSF on July 9.

"There was a small impromptu birthday gathering just over 3 weeks ago at Uncle Benny’s Cafe, and he was so touched and overwhelmed by his friends and surprise guests such as State Senator Scott Weiner, Mayor London Breed, and City Attorney David Chiu who stopped by to congratulate him on his 91st birthday," said Cecilia.

Yee was born in Dik Hoi in the Toisan region of the Guangdong province in China. He left China for Taiwan at the age of 17. He entered the prestigious Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force until he immigrated to the United States in 1956 at the age of 24.

Once Yee settled down in San Francisco, he helped his older brother Churchill Yee in running a family grocery store in the Richmond District. He had worked at the restaurants and studied in San Francisco City College.

In 1964, Yee began his real estate career by joining a realtor company in Chinatown. He served as president and real estate broker-in-charge for 17 years. In 1984, Yee founded his own real estate investment and property management company, Benny Yee & Associates, in Chinatown at the corner of Broadway and Powell Streets. It was later relocated to the Sunset District up to the present.

Yee made history in his profession as the first Asian appointed Board Director at the San Francisco Association of Realtors in 1975 and served as one of 3 judges on the Arbitration Panel.

Yee's interest in politics began in 1974 when Jerry Brown was running for Governor. Yee was active at Brown’s gubernatorial campaign. After Brown was elected and became the Governor in 1975, he signed into law the legalization of acupuncture with the joint efforts of the Chinese acupuncture profession and supporters including Yee.

Then Yee also began his long journey in public service. Yee received his very first political appointment in 1975 from Brown who appointed him to the California Contractors State License Board. Yee continued to serve on the board under four consecutive governors and became the first elected Asian American Chairman of the board in 1986 under George Deukmejian.

In San Francisco, Yee was appointed to head the San Francisco and Taipei Sister Cities Committee. He also served on many city commissions including the Redevelopment Agency Commission where he served for almost 13 years, first appointed by Mayor Frank Jordan in 1994, reappointed by Mayor Willie Brown and continued to serve under Mayor Gavin Newsom. He was elected as its president in 1999 and 2001.

In 2002, Yee was appointed to the 7-member Merit Selection Panel on judgeship in federal court where he was the only Asian American on the panel.

As a first generation immigrant, Yee had never forgotten his roots and Chinatown's family associations. He was one of the leaders at the Yee Shew Yan Benevolent Association, Yee Fung Toy Family Association, Hop Wo Benevolent Association and Chinatown Neighborhood Association.

"Benny left a lasting impact on our community and with the lives of those who knew him," said District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio who represents Sunset District. "He was a pillar of the community. Benny Yee's contributions extended far beyond the doors of his beloved cafe. He served as an influential figure in various civic and political endeavors, leaving an indelible impact on our city."

Police Commissioner Larry Yee had known Benny Yee for decades as colleagues in the Yee and Hop Wo associations. He remembered Benny as a true leader serving all communities.

Larry said Benny was one of the very few Chinese American leaders who had extensively served on the commissions for all levels of city, state and federal governments. His contribution and impact was huge for all communities.

The funeral for Yee will be held at the Green Street Mortuary in San Francisco Chinatown at 11 a.m. on July 23.