Lee-van Jan Nexar

Facebook Live Stream

A recording of the  Funeral Mass will be posted to his obituary the next day.

Lee-van Jan Nexar, age 39, of Plantation, Florida passed away October 29,2020.

Lee-van was born September 16, 1981 in Port of Spain, Trinidad to Jan and Ameena Nexar. As a young child, Lee and his family settled in Queens, New York where he was raised surrounded by a large family of his parents, his sister, Sabrina, and brother-in-law, Ronald, aunts, uncles and cousins. Family has always been Lee’s first love.

Growing up, Lee was also blessed with a tight knit group of friends with whom he remained close for over 25 years. And, he had a passion for cars from a young age. As a teen, Lee, and his best friend, Christopher, spent many days driving and exploring New York City’s roads. Lee loved buying and restoring cars. By the time he was 30 years old he had owned and restored 10 hidden treasures, underrated models with superior engines.

In the early 2000’s, Lee and his family relocated to South Florida. In 2004, he met his future wife, Tanya. Attached at the hip from the beginning, Lee and Tanya went on to have 3 girls; Sadie and Olivia born in 2007 and Marlee born in 2016. As a family they enjoyed traveling, making memories with the girls, working on their home and spending sleepy mornings snuggled up watching movies together. Lee provided a happy home, full of laughter and love, for his wife and girls. He always took less than he needed so his girls could have extra. He was a selfless father and husband whose motivation was always to put a smile on their faces and enjoy the simple life with his family. 

Lee loved to travel and was always happiest when the next trip was planned. One of his favorite vacation spots was Key West where he would ride a scooter, eat oysters and conch fritters and sip margaritas. Lee was blessed to visit some amazing places in his life and despite being sick continued to take trips until the spring of 2020.

Growing up, cooking and food were at the center of everything Lee’s family did and formed a special bond between Lee and his father who shared this passion. Lee was a natural born chef who after interning at his cousin’s Khalid’s restaurant in Trinidad, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute in 2009. He went on to cook in some of the top restaurants in South Florida. He ended his career doing what he enjoyed best, private catering, which allowed him to be more creative with his craft.

Lee fought a long hard battle against brain tumors lasting 20 years. Once the tumors were deemed unstoppable this fall, Lee remained at home surrounded by his family until his last day. Although he is at peace now and made whole again, we will always miss him dearly. 

He is survived by his wife, Tanya, daughters, Sadie, Olivia and Marlee, parents, Jan and Ameena Nexar, sister, Sabrina Sanchez, brother in law, Ronald Sanchez, niece, Emma, and nephew, Lucas.

Visitation will be held on November 6, from 4pm-7pm at TM Ralph Plantation Funeral Home .  Mass of Christian Burial  will be held November 7, at 9:30am at Saint Gregory the Great Church. Arrangements by T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 7001 NW 4 Street Plantation, FL 33317