Leo was born in Sint Oedenrode, Holland on April 12, 1927; he was the son of the late Adrianus and Wilhelmina (Ketelaars) van de Meerakker. In 1964, he married Catharina Spierings the daughter of Gerardus and Cornelia (Verstappen) Spierings. They later had two beautiful sons: Robert and Harold. Robert and his wife Tracy and their two sons: Logan and Connor reside in Dieppe, NB while Harold and his wife Shelly reside in The Woodlands Texas; Lee also has a brother, Harrie vande Meerakker and a sister, Martina Schepen both of Holland; as well as several nieces and nephews.