Irvin E. Erb 1897-1991
In September of 1919, Irvin E. Erb brought his dream of opening his own business to life, establishing a general insurance agency in Kitchener at the young age of 22. Erb had turned down an opportunity to play in the NHL (he had been offered contracts with the St Pat's, now Maple Leafs, as well as the Montreal Maroons for a whopping $750 per year) just a few years before in order to pursue this goal. Six years later, in 1925, his father Ephraim B. Erb joined his son in the firm, now known as Erb and Erb Insurance. First opening its doors on Queen St South, the firm moved to 1 King St E some years later.
Shortly after World War II, Ralph J Westfall, husband of Irvin's niece Hazel, joined the firm. In 1970, Ralph and Hazel, along with another long term employee, Catherine Bast, purchased the business and incorporated it. In 1979, Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers moved to 30 Queen St N, former home of the K/W Record.
Nine years later, the firm was again passed down to a younger generation including Ralph and Hazel's son, David, as well as two other individuals. In 2006, the partnership expanded to include Sandy (Ralph and Hazel's daughter) as well as Sandy's two sons.
In 2016, Erb and Erb was purchased by Lackner McLennan Insurance and the two firms began operating as one. Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers continued to operate in name as it approached its 100th anniversary in September of 2019. The following year, 2020, saw both companies come under a new name, LMI Canada.
Before and after the sale to Lackner McLennan, one division of the old Erb and Erb Insurance brokerage continued to operate under the name Erb and Erb Financial Services. This team within Erb and Erb/Lackner McLennan has been around for decades, offering the firm's clientele life and living benefits insurance, various investment products, group benefits and savings, estate planning, and comprehensive financial planning.
In June of 2021, LMI Canada announced the sale of their firm to Brokerlink. At the same time, employee and Manager of Financial Services, Michael Onotsky, purchased the block of FS business from LMI Canada. As such, the name Erb and Erb continues its 100+ year tradition in serving the needs of Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding communities in Southern Ontario.
The team at Erb and Erb Financial Services has a long history within the community as well as deep and lasting relationships with their clientele. We are committed to carrying on the tradition of service to our community and always putting our clients first, just as Irvin chose to do in 1919.
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Our Team
Mike is not only the president of Erb and Erb Financial Services, but also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), mutual funds licensed representative, and licensed life insurance advisor. Mike has worked with many of his clients for 20+ years and considers his clients family. He believes that his greatest measurements of success are the numerous new clients he has began working with over the years through referrals from his long term clients.
Mike has been a volunteer in many capacities over the years, both locally through Scouts Canada, a local drop in center, and at his church, as well as internationally acting as the Uganda Coordinator for a global humanitarian organization and initiating a program to bring schools and other services to those in need in the region around the city he calls his "second home", Jinja, Uganda.
When he is not helping his clients plan for their financial future, Mike enjoys boating, travel, hunting, golf, and spending time with his family..
Allan joined our team in 2018. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Allan has gained significant knowledge working in many facets of the industry such as banking, mutual fund sales, group benefits consulting, and life insurance sales.
Allan has been mutual funds licensed for many years and also acquired his life insurance license in 2015 to further assist his clients. Allan is a firm believer in a holistic approach to financial advice, reviewing many aspects of a clients financial picture in order to determine the right advice and product for each specific situation.
Allan has a great sense of humour and, along with his friendliness and desire to always provide the best advice possible, clients very much enjoy working with Allan as they plan for their future. When not hard at work, Allan enjoys travelling with his wife, Patricia, spending time with his son and daughter, as well as playing golf any chance he gets. As any good Scotsman, he has a passion for football (soccer to us Canucks!).
