Community mourns loss of baseball coach, mentor

EUSTIS, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A community is mourning the loss of a man who had a huge impact on many lives, young and old.

Eustis High School in Eustis, Florida had been preparing for a new season without their coach, David Lee.  He was so loved by his team, they had dedicated this season to him, as he was awaiting a heart transplant.

Lee recently checked into the UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where he underwent a medical procedure. Although he was showing some signs of improvement, according to family, Lee passed a week later. He was 55.

To his players, Lee's coaching went beyond the baseball field, they said.  He worked for 30 years as a baseball coach at several schools around Central Florida, 14 of which had been at Eustis High School.

Lake County Public Schools is providing grief counselors for students and staff.