Friday was a bittersweet day as Wayne Brakeboer officially retired from his role as community manager at RBC Royal Bank of Canada, most recently in Bradford.
The Newmarket resident has been the face of RBC in Bradford for the last nine years, and is also well known for the years he worked in the Newmarket branch. He has also worked at RBC branches in Markham, Tillsonburg, St. Catharines, Burlington and Barrie over the past 38 years.
Laurie Brakeboer, Wayne’s wife, wanted to do something special for him to commemorate his years at with RBC, but with COVID-19 cases on the rise, she and the RBC team were unable to hold any formal parties.
Instead, she decided to celebrate by having each of the staff wear one of exciting (and silly) ties for which Brakeboer is renowned.
Brakeboer has not only represented RBC but has been a great community advocate and volunteer who has won numerous awards with RBC, including a cruise to the Bahamas in 1992. He has been a repeat winner internally with RBC for his ability to work in partnership with the community and other sectors of the business.
He was recognized with the Community Leader Award in October 2019 for his volunteerism with local non-profit organizations such as the Helping Hand Food Bank, Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, and CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors), where he currently sits on the board.
He has been a mentor for new RBC employees, teaching sessions on financial literacy in local elementary and high schools.
He was a Bradford Board of Trade director for a couple of years, and is the president of the York Curling Club in Newmarket-Aurora-East Gwillimbury.
He has been happily married for 34 years and has three grown sons, and a granddaughter, Brooklyn, 2, which Brakeboer shared is part of his reason for retiring.
Laurie wanted to do something a little extra for Brakeboer's retirement, so she organized a surprise “clap out” for him last Friday. He was shocked to see a parking lot full of friends, family, neighbours and colleagues holding ’good luck’ and ’congratulations’ signs as he exited the RBC building.
A red carpet was rolled out for his exit as everyone clapped and cheered from a distance. Wayne held his granddaughter in his arms as he went around reading all the personalized signs and thanked everyone for their praise and recognition.
“Thank you for your valuable contributions to the community and your unsurpassed commitment to the citizens of Bradford West Gwillimbury through your work at RBC," said Mayor Rob Keffer on behalf of himself and members of town council. “Your exemplary 38-year career is a milestone and serves as a model of dedication to your branch, your staff, and your community."
“Wayne was one of the best managers I had during my 33-years with RBC. He will be missed but knowing Wayne, he will continue to do something and will keep in touch with many of his loyal employees and customers," said former colleague Donna Cook.
Assistant branch manager Jackie Kerr, who has worked with Wayne off and on over the last 20 years, said, “Wayne loves family [and] loves representing the bank and community. He takes pride in all that we do in the community… Bradford and Wayne, they were a good fit."
The two sons who could not attend were live on video to watch the celebration in the RBC parking lot. Son Greg and his wife, Niki, and Brooklyn were able to attend in person.
“When my son showed up inside, I wondered what he was doing here," said Brakeboer, adding that he had no idea there was a surprise planned. “I am so touched! I love this town… I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to work in Bradford, in this community with these people, and do the things we did. I’ll cherish that for the rest of my life and take it with me, because even if we move away, I’ll always be involved… Bradford’s always going to be a part of me."
With retirement, Brakeboer will have more time to enjoy his wood-working hobby and to “dabble” in furniture creations.
“He always wanted to have a wood shop and spend more time outdoors, now he can,” Laurie said.