Leonard G. Lee was born on July 17, 1938, and died on July 7, 2016.

He was a Canadian entrepreneur and founder of Lee Valley Tools and Canica Design.

Leonard grew up in a log cabin without electricity or running water.

Lee had received a Diploma in Civil Engineering from Royal Roads Military College and in 1963 a Bachelor of Economics degree from Queen’s University.

Lee worked for the federal government for 16 years as a topographical surveyor, member of the Canadian Foreign Service and civil servant in the Department of Industry.

Lee founded Lee Valley Tools Ltd. in 1978, Which was a Canadian woodworking and gardening tools mail-order business which has since developed into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Then he founded Veritas Tools in 1985.

Then in 1991, he founded Algrove Publishing.

Himself and his son Robin was running Lee Valley Tools.

Then Lee has started a new business, Canica Design, a medical/surgical instrument company, headquartered in Almonte, Ontario.

Lee was made a Member of the Order of Canada for “being a successful entrepreneur”, during 2002.

During 2007, Leonard was granted an honorary degree from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.

During 2011, Lee was granted an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa.

Leonard Lee passed away at 77 years old