I was born in Canada’s Centennial year and was raised by a single mother. I spent most of my free time with his maternal grandparents. My retired grandfather in particular would shuttle me to my many sporting activities including baseball, hockey, football and boxing.

I excelled at sport but struggled with the educations system but learned income taxes by osmosis watching my retired grandfather and working mother prepare tax returns in their after work hours for friends and family. I picked up numbers and quickly but went into the trades after dropping out of high school

After many years in the trades I founded Rooftop Roofing after moving to BC in 1994. In December of 2004 I suffered a serious neck injury, breaking my neck and rupturing three discs. I was fortunate enough to recover my health but not fast enough to the point where I could do the same physical work so I sold my roofing company to start a new career in accounting.

After a year of recovery and less physical work I found myself boxing again against my doctor’s recommendation. I managed to win the BC trials and compete for Canada’s Olympic spots at the National Championships in 1996 where I lost in the semi finals. I competed again in the 2000 Olympic trials where I was one fight away at the Olympic Box off to represent Canada at the Sydney Olympics. I retired from the sport after those trials.

After retiring from a sporting Career in 2000 and starting my own accounting and tax practice, MrTaxes.ca, I found myself missing especially after a phone call I received from an old hockey buddy from 12 years old. He asked how my father was doing. I replied my father was never around. He said who brought you to hockey all those years. I replied it was my Grandfather and that he had passed away. Matt said “Wow, that is why he looked so much older than all the other dads”.

It was at that point that I realized that my Grandfather spent endless hours volunteering his time so I could compete in Sport. My volunteer career was launched. How could I now give back. I got involved with the sport I loved, boxing, first as a volunteer board member as treasurer then as a coach. After taking over a struggling boxing club as head coach I helped put together the 2008 Olympic Boxing Trials at the River Rock Casino in Richmond BC, co-hosted along with another club.

I have had many volunteer opportunities now as a coach and general volunteer for non-sporting organizations. Volunteering is a way for me to be involved and give back to others what I have received for many years. It is success coming full circle.

Sincerely,

Robert Stone