Customers at Yudy’s tire service in Damariscotta, Oct. 12, were treated to donuts, cake and pizza, and the chance to say goodbye to manager Walter Brewer.
Oct. 12 was Brewer’s last day at the place he worked for more than 50 years.
“I just stopped in for the food,” Joy Black quipped before giving a more serious reason for her presence at Yudy’s. She said Brewer has overseen automobile maintenance for generations of her family.
“I hope to say goodbye to Walt,” Black said. “He’s been taking care of everyone in my family for almost 55 years. He’s an honest and dependable guy and he’s right there. He’s never covered up stuff to get extra work.”
Other than a two-year break for military service, Brewer, who will be 72 in January, has been at Yudy’s 54 years. He said it was, “basically my first job.”
“Where Sullivan (Sullivan Tire and Auto Co.) is taking over, I’m glad,” Brewer said. “I’ve been waiting for something like this so I could get out.” He said if the business were to remain under its current ownership, he would stay on.
“I’ve got a job lined up,” he said. Brewer, who lives in Newcastle, said he plans to take a week off and start at Don Foshay’s Discount Tire on Biscay Road at the end of the month.
“Sullivan is too much for me to do at this time,” he said. “Their ways and my ways are not the same.”
Brewer’s daughter, Rachael Chase, also ended her employment at Yudy’s Oct. 12, after 9.5 years.
She said Sullivan Tire does all their bookkeeping in a central location and did not plan to continue her position.
Other than the two of them, Brewer said most Yudy’s employees plan to stay on. He said he did not want to wait “until they don’t need me anymore.”
“There’s always things about places you’re going to miss,” Brewer said. “I don’t know what they’re all going to be yet.” He said he knew he would miss his co-workers. “The customers have been so loyal. It’s been a good place to work for 50-plus years.
Brewer said the week off he planned to take between jobs would be his first vacation since 1993.
“That’s how much I enjoyed the place, you see,” Brewer said.
