A Somerville Loss

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

Many of the car-enabled in the Davis Square community know Al of ABJ over in Winter Hill. I've been going there to get cars repaired since shortly after coming to Boston. Work has been good and prices reasonable, a rare combination in automotive repair. ABJ will still be there, and it looks like his stamp will stay on the place for many years to come... but.

Al is dying.

Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. It started hopscotching around, as some cancers do. Five weeks ago he was admitted to Mass General Hospital. Hopefully he is comfortable. Current medical estimates don't have him lasting out the year. He might not make it past All Hallows Night. If you know Al's full name and want to call MGH, feel free. Don't go over to visit without getting his OK first.

I'm going to miss him.

Comments

[bravejoe (from livejournal.com)]

I love Al

He is my my best audience EVER. We could laugh hard over the littlest of things. During one visit, another customer, with the same make and model of car, was in the office at the same time as me. We joked how Al kept us away from each other over the last 10 years because he was swapping parts between the two of us! We started to add up our repair histories and concluded that he was driving my car and I, his. So we traded keys and walked out of the office.

We roared for 30+ minutes.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Oh, no! So sad to hear this. :( He's a great guy.

[lomagna.livejournal.com]

He is such a nice guy and I had a really good experience at ABJ. So sad to hear about this.

[frugaljoe.livejournal.com]

Al and his shop at ABJ have really done me right over a number of years.

I don't take my cars there anymore based on their location, but will definitely send a card over.

Al is a kind, caring, gentle man. I hope he has comfort in his days.