A local auto parts company celebrated a member of the “family” Friday afternoon.
Wayne Forrester began his career at Orillia’s Parry Automotive 40 years ago.
He worked the counter for more than two years before becoming operations manager, a position he still holds.
“I was very fortunate to work for a great gentleman, Peter Van Kessel,” Forrester said.
The feeling was mutual.
“We needed a good man,” Van Kessel said of the reason he hired Forrester in May 1979. “He was an experienced parts man and came highly recommended.”
The business is now owned by Peter’s son, Steve Van Kessel, and daughter, Susan Peacock. They organized a drop-in celebration Friday, when hundreds of family, friends and customers were expected to stop by to congratulate Forrester on his four decades with the business.
Peacock became emotional while explaining why it was important to recognize Forrester.
“Wayne is family. He’s the most loyal employee you could ask for,” she said. “He’s been a key component of Parry Automotive for 40 years.”
Steve Van Kessel echoed that sentiment.
“There’s been a lot of people come through the ranks over the 71 years we’ve been in business," he said, "but Wayne’s been an integral part of what we do.”
He said the importance of Forrester’s job — dealing with both customers and vendors — cannot be overstated.
“Everything we do is about relationships. There are people Wayne dealt with on his first day that are still dealing with us today,” he said.
Parry Automotive, on Dunedin Street, has been a family business in more ways than one. Not only is it run by a brother-and-sister duo; Forrester’s daughter, Vicky, and his grandson, Jaxson, also work there.
All the attention given to Forrester on Friday was unexpected, he said.
“It’s a little embarrassing, I have to admit, but that’s the type of people they are,” he said. “Things like this keep you coming back.”
