Wednesday, March 22, 2023
It’s hard to put into words the influence Felix had on me, my family and my life. I would not be the person I am now without his mentorship, kindness and generosity.
I was 19 years old in 1971 when Felix hired me to be his Parts Manager. He had just purchased “Universal Car Town” from Frank Palermo and was off to seek his fortune. Sounds funny now but Felix told me he had $15K of his own money invested and was laying awake at night over the debt.
During my “interview” Felix said…“What have you got to lose kid? If I don’t make it you can go anywhere and get a job. But if I do , I’ll make sure we’ll have a profitable and memorable relationship. In fact, if you stick with me for 6 months, I’ll give you a demo with air conditioning” I jumped in with both feet and for 27 years never looked back. What a cool ride!
What an incredible start! If you weren’t there you might not understand all of this but if you were, these tidbits will put a smile on your face.
In that tiny shop on Gravel Rd across from the Caravel ice cream store our team, mechanics Lacy Harris, Joe Malone, Jake Leenhouts and others were supported by myself and Mark Compitello in parts.
Carl Coleates was the sales manager and business was booming. Soon we did well enough to build a big new building on the corner of Bay Rd and Empire Blvd.
No Bay Rd Wegmans yet, no Baytown Plaza yet. Just empty fields where Walmart is. The Irondequoit Bay bridge had just been finished and now Webster/Penfield didn’t seem like the “boonies”.
So many, many great memories. Prince the Doberman, Felix driving his restored Army Jeep, his red 65 Mustang Convertible, converting Lincolns into convertibles and selling them to Sheiks in Saudi Arabia, huge food baskets for all the employees every Christmas.
Funny story. I remember when Felix called me to the fenced in drainage pond behind the new dealership and asked me if I knew what was missing. Confused and with a “what the hell is he thinking now,” in my head, he said “Geese! We need some geese in the pond.” Go get some geese.”
So Craig Merritt, Billy Traver and myself found six geese, put them in back of an enclosed pickup and brought them back to the dealership. Because I held rank I drove. Bill and Craig rode in the back with the geese and were more than a little messy when we got back. I remember Billy saying he didn’t think this was going to work out well and when Felix asked why. He said because “Geese can fly”.
There were too many “Colorful” characters to mention. Sam Stefanides, Carmen Cordaro, Joe Lucenti, Al “Super” Market, the Huss brothers, Johnny Daniels, Eddy “Pops” Fields, Tony Falzone and the Rothfuss boys, Mike Luce and Gary Corneilus .
Felix always rewarded performance. Bonuses for good a profitable month sometimes included a night on the house at the Encore Club. To this day, those are hard to forget. You have to be old enough to know why.
So many and too many great memories and experiences to recall right now. I could tell Felix stories all night long. Right now I am sad. Happy to have know this great man but sad he is gone.
RIP Felix. There will never be another like you.
“mi manchi”
