Passions have always been sports and money. Growing up it was hockey all winter and baseball all summer. Making money started at an early age and never stopped – cutting grass, shovelling snow, and operating two successful paper routes until graduating from high school in 1968.
In 1969, I entered the CAF Air Force and like many young fellows at the time had dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. My entrance test showed I could be anything and so I chose electronics even though I knew nothing about it. A year later I graduated and posted to rural Saskatchewan on the Pine Tree line – a heavy radar unit. How do I make money? – become a lifeguard, a projectionist and a bartender – no problem. Sports filled my time – hockey, football, fastball and curling and the start of my officiating career. During my time I formed my first official company – landscaping, lawn maintenance and snow clearing. Again, very successful.
After almost 20 years and a ½ dozen postings, I retired at the age of 37 with a pension and began my new career as a financial advisor – Black Friday 1987!
Taking my uniform off in the morning, I put on a suit and started at Investors after lunch. Two years later I was unemployed until I started with Canada Life in March of 1990 and the path ahead was slow and steady becoming an insurance agent and a money manager. I also dabbled with management and teaching at Canada Life.
After LUATC, and as I was studying for my CLU, I began teaching LUATC – giving back and I was a member of the executive of LUAC Winnipeg, which eventually became ADVOCIS Winnipeg. As I assumed various executive positions on the board I was also the editor of our local magazine – At A Glance – which was hugely successful. After a successful Education Forum, I became President of the Winnipeg Chapter of Life Underwriters Association. Serving an unprecedented three terms as President and after the amalgamation with the CFP Association, I moved on.
In 1996, Canada Life turned its captive agents loose and I formed The Gary D.S. Weston Financial Group. I was totally on my own, my own offices, an assistant and an associate. I was still heavily involved in hockey even though I had been diagnosed with a blood disorder. I soldiered on as health issues got in my way but, all in all, life was pretty good until my succession plan took a hit and my son was diagnosed with cancer. Eventually he passed away and my career became more profound because now I knew why I was in the insurance business and why I was a financial advisor – to help others survive life’s tragedies.
In the beginning, I studied hard and after attaining my CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter – I moved on to my CHFC – Chartered Financial Consultant. That is how I hold myself out now, as a Financial Consultant, still helping others.
Now as I am older and wiser, it’s time to start thinking about retirement and easing my workload. Anne wants to travel more while we still can and my grandchildren are growing like weeds. My hockey is getting harder too as I age but I still need to keep busy.
With my new associates, I hope to carry on for a few more years and continue looking after my current clients and meeting new ones.
