My name is Robert Gawne. I am an Investment Advisor with The Gawne Group, TD Wealth Private Investment Advice. We are a family run Wealth Management team working closely with our clients and their families across the GTA. My father started the business in 1996 as on of the first Advisors for TD here in Whitby and I joined the team in 2001. I am married to my lovely wife Martha, we have two children Zachary and Joshua, 2 Jack Russells (Scout and Nelly) and a Himalayan cat named Gizmo.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My family moved to Whitby in 1987, my father was a Branch Manager for National Trust. My Mother retired in 2014 after 28 years with Price Waterhouse Coopers. My oldest sister lives in Los Angeles with my Brother in Law and my beautiful niece. I also have a sister who recently left her position as a Professor at The University of Guelph and will be joining our team later this year.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am the Lead Advisor for The Gawne Group however we have a team of 4. 3 Advisors and 1 dedicated Customer Service Associate. I love what we do because every client/family is a fingerprint, no two are the same, every day brings a new challenge. Even though Investment Advisor is on our business card we provide solutions to our clients needs for all things Wealth. Estate Planning, Tax Management, Financial Planning, Insurance, etc. Helping people achieve their goals is what drives me every day.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Hot Rocks, ChatterPauls and selfishly, Oshawa Golf Club has a great Chef!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We moved here in 1987, I went away to School (Indiana and Florida) for 5 years but came back in the summers. This year marks 20 years for me with TD.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Harry Peleshok. He turns 100 this year and is a member at Oshawa Golf Club. He’s shot his age more times than he can count and is just a wonderful man.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Europe. My wife and I had plans of going to Europe for our 5th anniversary but sadly COVID got in the way. When we’re comfortable travelling again, it will be 1st on the priority list.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My wedding Day. I know it’s cliche, but my wife is my best friend and the confirmation of that bond that day makes my heart smile every time I see pictures or her beautiful smile.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Stay connected. Don’t be afraid to be selfish when it comes to taking care of you before taking care of others. By this, I mean the basics, food, water and rest. If we are connected internally it allows us to bring that positive energy to everyone around us.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A Sunday at Augusta National or A Champion’s League Match at Old Trafford (Manchester).
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
I love house music. I have CDs dating back to 2002 of various DJs around the world. If I had one to choose it would be Deko-ze, a Toronto DJ who has a charismatic energy to him that’s incredible.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Brother’s Restaurant. I remember having team meetings there when I was playing/coaching hockey over 34 years.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
David Feherty. He’s absolutely brilliant comedian. I’m sure he has stories he’s not even able to talk about publicly although I’ve seen him live and his show was fantastic. Where? The patio at Oshawa Golf Club.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Humility. Even though over the years there certainly has been wealth built up in Durham (home prices, population growth, etc) I still feel like our community is still the same humble, hard working folk that I grew up with and now have the pleasure of working with.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In my home, working with our team, working with the families we help and seeing this community continue to grow and thrive.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am a huge fan of history, more specifically, World Wars, North American Wars and my all time favourite, The War of 1812. I truly believe history has a way of repeating itself and if we don’t understand what’s happened in the past it is difficult to conceptualize what is happening today.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Pebble Beach
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month is May. Our “busy season” is September through to April. May lets us take a deep breath, summer is around the corner and golf season is back! Christmas, my wife is a Christmas fanatic so seeing her light up during the season brings me alot of joy. September 5th, our wedding anniversary.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Life. I love my family, my job, my friends, my pets and can’t possibly think of a more appropriate answer.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Father. My Mother. My Wife. My Children.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Garlic and onions being sauteed. A nice glass of Red Wine.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Thanks Chris Pyke!!!
