By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asian Weekly
From left: Friends Alan Yamada and Mike Hayatsu help Pat Abe (front) to post the retirement sign.
Pat Abe, who owned 7th Ave. Auto Service for 43 years in Chinatown, will close its business on May 29. I was sad when I heard the news. But Abe isn’t sad. He was smiling when he held the “CLOSING” sign to be hung up for customers to see.
Abe, 80, is a pal to many community members, including me. He has been servicing our cars since we published in 1982. He even delivered our car to our office door after he fixed it. His site used to include gas stations, but it was closed down years ago.
“I don’t have a lease,” he said. His friends decided that he should retire early and enjoy life. He has five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
“I appreciate all the patronage. It kept me going for 43 years. The community has been very good to me. I have a blessed life.” He said he went into the auto business because he didn’t want to work seven days a week like his dad who ran a grocery store. (end)