Born in Tullaghan, County Leitrim, Ireland, Wilkes came to Toronto from his native Ireland at sixteen, working as a clerk before buying a jewelry firm, Rossin Brothers, which he expanded into a cross-country operation.
Born in Tullaghan, County Leitrim, Ireland, Wilkes made the move to Toronto at sixteen, initially employed as a clerk before establishing himself in the business world by purchasing Rossin Brothers, a company that eventually became a prominent national player.