Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, and graduated from Fordson High School in Dearborn.

At the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the United States Navy as an apprentice seaman and served from 1933 to 1937.

[2] He was called to active duty again in February 1941, and served during World War II until October 1945.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the 89th Congress in 1964, losing to fellow Democrat John Dingell.

Lesinski was one of the few Northern Democrats to oppose the Civil Rights Act of 1964.