Industry veteran Wilson M. Beck, founder of Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services, has passed away.
Beck was an active member of the business community serving on a variety of boards. He was the past chair of the Terminal City Club, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association and the BC Construction Association. He was also an active member of the BC Roadbuilders Association and a Lifetime Member of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association.
Beck, the youngest of nine siblings, was born in Peterborough, Ontario. His family moved to B.C. when he was three months old. A few years after graduating from high school, he began his career in the insurance industry in 1957. After working his way up in the industry, he founded his namesake brokerage in 1981 with seven other people, specializing in in the niche of contract bonding and insurance for the construction industry. He was very proud to see his once small firm grow to become one of Canada’s largest privately held commercial insurance brokerages now with more than 250 staff in offices spanning from Victoria to Toronto.
The family says he was very grateful for the many enduring friendships he forged during his 65 years in the industry. He wanted to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all of the clients, staff and insurance and surety companies with whom he had the fortune to work with over the past many decades.
Beck is survived by his wife and large extended family. In lieu of flowers, Wilson’s family would encourage donations be made to the North Shore Hospice or a charity of your choice.
** From Construction Business, publisher, Dan Gnocato:
“I had the pleasure of directly working with Wilson in the very early years of WMB while building the WMB brand to what it is today. Wilson was always a gentleman and an integral part of the B.C. Construction family. I have fond memories of great laughs and brainstorming marketing initiatives in his office. My condolences to David, the Beck family and the entire WMB team. “
