My usual jocularity has been a bit "tapped out" this weekend. I stopped by a good friends shop (he was an auto mechanic, my auto mechanic and a dear friend) As I would do 1 or 2 Saturdays a month, regardless of weather or not I "needed" something. The shop was closed----odd --- and then I find a sign announcing his demise and his funeral which I had missed by just hours taped to the door.
He had just done some work last week on Shannons Sebring. And I have taken all my vehicles to him for years.
He was by far, the most HONEST mechanic I ever have met. Hard working but always happy to take a moment to actually SHOW you "why this needs replaced" or "why we can let that slide for now". Or, hey, I'll do "this" and if you wanna get the part and replace "that" it'll save ya $. When he did my Subaru Head gasket repair (for those who don't know you have to take the engine OUT for that) He lent me his personal much beloved Chevy Tahoe to use for 2 weeks free of charge, no catch, just knew I couldn't be without a vehicle, who does that?
And price quotes....if he said it was going to be 300.00, it was, even if he lost $ on it. HE would not ever go over his estimate. Name a mechanic like THAT. They are rare at best.
Simple, Honest, Solid, just a damn good dude.
Originally from Jersey. And with a heavy accent, I always enjoyed just "hanging" out at his shop. He would have such cool cars come and go, most recently an 80's (perfect condition) Trans Am, an old Cougar from the 70's and an MG he just got in last week to help a guy restore.........don't reckon that will get done now....nor any of the 4 or 5 other 1/2 done projects in the shop
He was happy and joking last Saturday "bustin my hump" as he often did but all in good fun. And of course, I would "bust back" in turn as well.
Truly amazing how we can be "here" one minute and "gone" the next. He suffered a massive and unexpected stroke at the shop on Wed. Just doing his thing.
I have not had a chance to speak with his wife Robin, I assumed she had enough on her plate this weekend but most certainly I will be speaking with her this week.
If you would, send a prayer, thoughts, blessings or what have you to Vincent Palmeri and his family at this time.
Thank you.
He had just done some work last week on Shannons Sebring. And I have taken all my vehicles to him for years.
He was by far, the most HONEST mechanic I ever have met. Hard working but always happy to take a moment to actually SHOW you "why this needs replaced" or "why we can let that slide for now". Or, hey, I'll do "this" and if you wanna get the part and replace "that" it'll save ya $. When he did my Subaru Head gasket repair (for those who don't know you have to take the engine OUT for that) He lent me his personal much beloved Chevy Tahoe to use for 2 weeks free of charge, no catch, just knew I couldn't be without a vehicle, who does that?
And price quotes....if he said it was going to be 300.00, it was, even if he lost $ on it. HE would not ever go over his estimate. Name a mechanic like THAT. They are rare at best.
Simple, Honest, Solid, just a damn good dude.
Originally from Jersey. And with a heavy accent, I always enjoyed just "hanging" out at his shop. He would have such cool cars come and go, most recently an 80's (perfect condition) Trans Am, an old Cougar from the 70's and an MG he just got in last week to help a guy restore.........don't reckon that will get done now....nor any of the 4 or 5 other 1/2 done projects in the shop
He was happy and joking last Saturday "bustin my hump" as he often did but all in good fun. And of course, I would "bust back" in turn as well.
Truly amazing how we can be "here" one minute and "gone" the next. He suffered a massive and unexpected stroke at the shop on Wed. Just doing his thing.
I have not had a chance to speak with his wife Robin, I assumed she had enough on her plate this weekend but most certainly I will be speaking with her this week.
If you would, send a prayer, thoughts, blessings or what have you to Vincent Palmeri and his family at this time.
Thank you.
