I met the most remarkable man today...

[Redstone]

I went to the Ford dealer in New London to see if I could fit in a Mustang convertible, and before long was being ushered into the owner's office...when I left that office, I was impressed, not to mention damn humbled.

The guy who owns that dealership is 88 years old, and still comes to work every day. That in itself would be something, but when you hear his story, it's even more touching:

This man survived Auschwitz. Fucking Auschwitz. Then he came to the US, not speaking a word of English, and decided to sell cars, starting with nothing, and now has one of the Ford dealerships that's most highly-rated for customer service in the whole country.

His daughter was born in Auschwitz. Her father sent her to medical school after his dealership became successful, and she became an MD and married a lawyer. Then, get this: The daughter and son-in-law gave up their careers to come run the dealership when the old man started to slow down, because they did not want him to have to sell the business, which they knew would probably kill him.

Damn. The sales kid also told me that if you work at this dealership, you're part of the old guy's family. Even if you're a janitor, if you have a family emergency, the first thing the owner says is "Take as much time off as you need to. Do you need money for a plane ticket or anything?"

And I know that the salesman wasn't bullshitting me. I spent a quarter of an hour with the owner, and between the way he talked to me, and the way he talked to the Little Guy, I can tell you I was in the presence of one of the Good Ones.

Damn and double damn. I'm not easily impressed. But I'll tell you one thing: I WILL buy a car from that dealership. Maybe not soon, but I will. You just don't meet people like that every day. And when you do, you really want to try to help make sure they'll be around for someone else to meet tomorrow.

Oh, and did I mention that the old guy's a lifelong Democrat?

If you live in Connecticut, and you want to buy a Ford, go buy it at Whaling City Ford in New London. I will personally guarantee that you won't be sorry you did. If you don't believe me, just talk to the owner for five minutes. He'll be happy to chat with you.

What a guy.

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

1. Wow! Now THAT is a man.

I wish I was in the market for a car (and in the neighborhood).

[amitten]

23. Guy could give G.W. Pissypants a few lessons, right?

Now THAT'S the kind of guy who should be holding office in this country. God bless him.

[dorktv]

2. You were in the presence of the Holy in my opinion...people like that

are a million times more holy then any of those evangelicals who run around hating and preaching that everyone is sinful.

[Redstone]

8. You want to hear about holy? He also went to the same college

in Poland as John Paul II went to, two years ahead of the future Pope. He has a picture on his office wall of him and the Pope shaking hands; he told me with so much pride about how he had a private eight-minute meeting with JPII...

I'm 6'4" tall. But I felt small in the presence of that five-foot-four man. I really did.

Redstone

[dorktv]

19. I would not say the pope is holy or that one was...but yeah I can

understand what you mean about being small.

[qnr]

3. I'm impressed. Used to be stationed in the New London area, I think

I remember the dealership.

[SOteric]

4. Thank you for sharing this.

Too often any more we've nothing to read of our fellow man but rants and peevish essays. It's good to be reminded that there is still compassion to be found in society.

[WindRavenX]

5. I love hearing about these stories for the reasons you listed

Sometimes, it's hard to be optimistic with all the bad stuff happening in the world...but this story still makes you hopeful.

[Telly Savalas]

12. Ditto.

[LynzM]

6. Wow, dude.

What an amazing life story. Damn. Ford Focus wagon is on the shortlist next time I'm car shopping (or something similar, by then...), so I will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks!

[Redstone]

9. Look at the Fusion when you go car shopping.

Lots of room, based on the Mazda6 platform (so you know it'll be reliable and reasonably fun to drive), and dirt cheap starting at $17K.

If I was looking for a non-convertible daily driver, I'd give it a whole bunch of serious consideration. And you know how much of a car nut I am...

How's the bathroom project progressing? Well, I hope; your neighbors might be upset if you start having the Porta-Potties trucked in to your side yard. Well, one of them might not, but the rest might.

Redstone

[LynzM]

11. LOL about the neighbors, yeah

I'll keep the car suggestion in mind. I suspect that's a while down the road, yet.

The bathroom project... well, the drain is plumbed, and now we're working on getting the wall plastic back up, so John can do the shower/faucet plumbing, and we can have a functional bathroom again. We've been running the garden hose (previously unused) from the hot water valve in the laundry room into the tub so we can take baths. Is that ghetto, or what? :rofl:

How are things treating you?

[Redstone]

16. I've been in that garden-hose "ghetto." The joys of owning an old house,

or what? All going pretty well here, thanks for asking.

Redstone

[Shine]

7. Great story, Redstone.

Very inspiring.

Despite his great suffering, he still has great compassion, and because of it, has created a wonderful life for himself.

What a guy, indeed.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

10. I amso glad to hear people like that are still among us.

:tinfoilhat:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

13. Check your PMs.

[Redstone]

18. I did. No need to answer my query about which post.

Distribute as much as you think it would be beneficial.

Redstone

[SeattleGirl]

14. He certainly is a remarkable man

Thanks for sharing this story Redstone. That is a truly great man.

[undeterred]

15. He met someone remarkable today too.

:hi:

[Robb]

17. Hear hear

:toast:

[Whoa_Nelly]

20. Very heartening story, Redstone

Thanks for sharing it. He sounds inspiring.

[leftofthedial]

21. I may come to Connecticut just to buy a car

[fishwax]

22. very cool story

it's nice to hear about folks like that. Makes all the bastards out there easier to deal with.:)