Lee was 100% Italian. He was raised in the 1500 block of Maple Avenue in Berwyn. Lee went to Jefferson Elementary school.
Lee was all – state in football and got a scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played four years. He was also all – state in baseball as a catcher, batting. 425 his senior year at Morton. Lee was an outstanding wrestler and won the Illinois High School Heavyweight weight division championship in 1962. This three-sports athlete was one of the nicest guys I ever met.