Joseph Weekes of the Weekes Agency in Gouverneur is excited to announce that two trusted names in insurance have come together to form The Weekes Dier Agency. This new entity was established for the continuation of the Weekes insurance tradition that was originally founded in 1849. Douglas and Debra Dier, owners of A. T. Matthews & Dier, 636 Coffeen Street, Watertown NY have purchased the Foster Weekes Agency Inc. and will work with Mr. Weekes throughout this transition. Mr. Weekes will continue his 38 year career by working with the new owners before retiring. Julie Malbeuf will continue in her role at the agency and work with others from the current team at Dier Agency, Inc. to provide policy services and deliver new business opportunities to the community.
Operations will continue from 9 East Main Street, Gouverneur, NY 13642 with the same phone number: 315-287-0610. All current insurance companies represented by Weekes have agreed to continue with Dier and they will also bring new and competitive insurance companies into the lineup. Over forty different carriers are represented by Dier Agency, Inc. with Erie Insurance Company spearheading the way. Erie’s moto is “Above All in Service” and this is their first location in Gouverneur. Other significant companies offered include NYCM, Travelers Insurance Co., Main Street America Group, Allstate Insurance Co., Erie & Niagara Insurance Co., Security Mutual and Preferred Mutual. Doug Dier commented, “I’m pleased by the level of excitement by all involved as we look forward to seeing our old friends and earning new relationships in Gouverneur”.
The Dier’s have owned and operated A. T. Matthews & Dier in Watertown since April 3, 2000, as they have grown their agency since that time. The Dier’s have also merged other family type agencies together over the years that are like the Weekes-Dier merger. Dier is pleased by this opportunity since his father, Grant E. Dier Sr. was from Gouverneur and started his insurance career with the Ward L. Howard Agency. The Weekes Agency purchased that agency in 1994 from Mort Howard. Two of Doug’s uncles, Robert Dier and Ralph Dier also owned area Independent Insurance Agencies. His other Uncle Earl Dier retired from Kinney Drugs after 35 years of service. Doug’s mother Evelyn “Dain” Dier worked at Kinney’s before she and Grant moved their family to Clayton to start Grant E. Dier Insurance in 1948. Doug’s brother Grant E Dier Jr. took over the family business and his daughter Marcia Sherman carries on the tradition as she now owns and operates Grant E Dier Inc. in Clayton, NY.
The Weekes Agency was originally established in 1849 as the A. E. Norton Agency, according to Joe Weekes, “In 1956, Robert and Margaret Foster purchased and established the Foster Agency. My father, R Joseph Weekes Sr. joined the Fosters as an employee initially and then purchased the insurance agency in 1971, forming The Foster Weekes Agency, Inc.” Joe as he is known to his friends joined the family Independent Insurance Agency in 1984. His mother Alice Weekes was also involved in the family business for many years. Both families have multiple generations in insurance as Doug and Debbie’s son Grant E. Dier III recently took a position as a District Sales Manager for Erie Insurance Company, 100 Erie Place, Erie, PA 16530.
If you have any questions about the Weekes Dier Agency, please reach out to Douglas Dier at either the Gouverneur or Watertown offices by calling 315-287-0610 or 315-782-2020. His email address is doug@nnyinsurance.com – the office at 9 East Main Street, Gouverneur is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
