When
he was only 12 years, Arthur Lee, born, Canton, China, 1953, moved with
his family to Canada, settling, Sudbury, Ontario, where his father became
a successful restaurateur. Mr. Lee, today, holds a B.A., BusinessAdministration,
Ryerson Polytechnic University. With his wife, Esther, Mr. Lee co-founded
Solidwear Group of Companies, a clothing manufacturer based in Toronto.
The Group has grown from 20 employees, at inception, 1995, to over 400
employees working out of 6 locations in Southern Ontario. The Group’s activities
are carried out in over 190,000 square feet of production, warehouse, and
office space. In 1997, Mr. Lee acquired at auction and donated to the McCrae
House Museum, Guelph, Ontario, the war medals of the late Lt. Col. John
McCrae, the author of the world-famous poem, In Flanders Fields, thereby
ensuring that the valuable medals would remain in Canada. In recognition
of his service to Canada, Arthur Lee was awarded the Meritorious Service
Medal by the Governor General of Canada. Mr. Lee is also the recipient
of the Arbour Award from the University of Toronto, an Honorary Doctorate
of Laws from Ryerson University, and an Alumni Award of Distinction from
Ryerson. Mr. Lee co-chairs the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, is a
Member, Board of Directors, Upper Canada College, is a Member, Board of
Directors, Ontario Heritage Foundation, and is Member, Fashion Advisory
Board of Ryerson. Mr. Lee has been active in sponsoring the Foster Parents
Plan, St. John Ambulance, and the Hospital for Sick Children. Mr. Lee and
Esther have been married for over 20 years and have three children: Jennifer,
Andrea, and Adrian. In this view, Arthur Lee holds up a portrait of Col.
John McCrae, a thank-you gift from Guelph’s Mayor Joe Young who is recognizing
Mr. Lee for donating the highly prized war medals he purchased at a much
publicized auction, 1997, and then donated to the McCrae House Museum.
This photograph was taken at the McCrae House Museum on the occasion of
the 125th anniversary of the birth of Col. John McCrae, M.D., 1998. [Photo,
courtesy the McCrae House Museum]