Timeline to Today

1892    City Insurance was founded by Thomas Cook, a former mayor of Sarnia, banker, owner of the telegraph office and founding member of the Sarnia Chamber of Commerce.

1923    City Insurance became a limited company and thereafter traded as City Insurance Offices Limited.

1956    J. Meredith Orr joined the firm. In late 1963, Homer Lockhart died and shortly after that Frank Cowan retired, and Meredith Orr took over ownership of City Insurance Offices Limited.

1974     As the company continued to grow, John Orr, Meredith's son, also entered the business.

1983     City Insurance Offices Limited purchased the Dailey Insurance Brokers Ltd. and integrated it with their operation.

1985     As part of a management cluster, the Emile Varsava Agency joined City Insurance.

1989     In January, City Insurance then purchased John Matheson Insurance Ltd.

1989     In July, City Insurance purchased the Marcel Beaubien Insurance Ltd. in Petrolia, Ontario, and continue to operate it as a branch office.

1998     Mr. Varsava retired and City Insurance purchased his business.

2004     City Insurance Offices Limited changed its operating name to City Insurance & Financial Services and introduced integrated financial services, offering customers financial solutions that encompass insurance, investments and banking.

2005     In their first year as a financial services provider, City Insurance & Financial Services received the 2004 ING Bank Advisor Award (out of a field of 3,000 advisors).

John Orr now manages the business and continues to benefit from the wise counsel of Meredith. Although much has changed since the early days; City Insurance & Financial Services remains committed to providing sound independent advice and personalized service.