I grew up on the farm in Chlemsford, Ontario. I left the farm in 1959 to attend the University of Toronto, where I obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering, I spent the first 18 years of my career with the T.Eaton Company Limited, in Toronto and Montreal, where I rose to be General Merchandise Manager for Eastern Canada. I left Eaton's in 1981 to join Comark Inc, where I created and became the President of Brettons Inc., a chain of high-end apparel and accessories stores. After leaving Brettons and spending two years consulting to the retail industry, I opened a Pro Hardware store in Peterborough, Ontario, which I operated with my wife June until 2001. June and I now live in Orillia, Ontario, Ontario