Last Updated on January 14, 2023 by CCAR Staff
NORWALK >> Hundreds of mourners gathered in Norwalk Saturday to say their final farewells to a 19-year-old autistic student from Whittier who died after being left alone in a school bus last week.
The death of Hun Joon “Paul” Lee, who died after being left unattended for hours on a contracted school bus parked at a Whittier Union High School District parking lot, shocked the community and prompted renewed conversation about care for those with special needs.
Still reeling from the sudden and tragic manner in which Paul’s life was cut short, devastated family members hosted a funeral mass for the young man at St. Raphael Korean Catholic Center in Norwalk.
“I’m so thankful for everyone who loved and cared for him in his life, and I regret I wasn’t able to spend more time with him,” sister Eiden Lee said through tears.
• Photos: Funeral services for student Hun Joon “Paul” Lee
“Since the day of this tragic accident, and for the rest of my life, although it will be so very painful, I will make sure this horrific tragedy will not go unnoticed. I will make sure to live my life to the fullest for my dear brother.”
Loved ones sobbed as the young man’s casket, covered with a white cloth, was wheeled to the front of the sanctuary.
A doll depicting the character “Woody” from the animated “Toy Story” film series provided by the family was placed alongside Paul Lee in his casket.
In addition to his sister, Paul Lee is survived by father Sang Sik Lee and mother Eun Ha Lee.
The father thanked community members who have supported the Lee family and kept the Lee family in their prayers over the past week.
“Even though Hun Joon left us, through him we learned love, felt joy and were happy,” Sang Sik Lee said in Korean.
“Hun Joon went to heaven, but I hope that our society will care and share the love with people with special needs because they should not be ignored or disregarded. What happened to Hun Joon should not happen again,” the distraught father said.
“And lastly, I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect you,” he said. “I love you. I love you Paul.”
Funds to help the Lee family are being collected online through Sunday at www.gofundme.com/uh44mgbs.
Family and friends have also established a Facebook page titled “Justice for Paul, Safety for All!” to share their thoughts and memories about Paul Lee, as well as the ongoing investigation into his death on Sept. 11.
“My heart continues to break every day for Paul’s family,” Jinri Kim, who said she used to babysit Paul, wrote in the forum.
“Paul is honestly the most gentle and peaceful person I know. He always responded to my questions with a smile, and his gentleness always struck me as to how a person could be so pure and peaceful,” she wrote.
Paul loved drawing and watching a Korean cartoon about a baby dinosaur, Kim added.
“Paul was truly an angel on Earth — he has never hurt a single soul in his life, brought so much joy and peace to those around him, and now he’s making the society reflect on issues that have gone neglected for far too long,” Kim wrote.
“The way Paul has gone to heaven was truly horrendous and unjust, but I truly believe that Paul will bring a positive change to the safety protocols in schools for all children in the world. The Lee family has a long journey ahead. Please let us continue to carry this momentum and carry Paul in our hearts until significant measures are put in place to ensure safety for all children.”
