Tidbits on Terry - Technician

Terry keeps things lively in the shop.  He puts a positive spin on almost any situation and is known for his perseverance. Terry began his career at West Park in April of 1994.  At the time he was working beside his father, Henry, another technician in our shop.  One and a half years later,  exactly 15 years ago today, Terry received the tragic news that his father had passed away in a car accident.  Terry counts those 1 and a half years of working with his father a total blessing and privilege.   The staff working with Henry at that time remember him as a gentle, soft-spoken guy.  He was one of those genuinely nice people who was well-liked by all. Henry was one of the best heavy duty truck technicians in southern Manitoba who was always willing to put in the extra hours to get a customer on the road, especially during beet season. We still miss his smiles and good, clean (sometimes practical) jokes!


When Terry was asked what his favourite practical GM vehicle is, he replied with seriousness in his face, "A Camaro...(pause for laughter from bystanders)...  What are you laughing for?" he asked.  "It's got 4 seats.  My wife would even agree with me!  My son thinks we should drive a Bumble Bee."  For Terry's impractical vehicle he'd like to own the Corvette he found in a Corvette magazine as a kid.  It's a '69 Corvette L88 in black with a 427 all-aluminum engine.  Terry still has the picture stashed away in his Corvette magazine collection. 

A moment that Terry remembers vividly at West Park is standing in the doorway of the garage watching a huge lightning storm when suddenly a tree across the parking lot was struck.  The light hurt the eyes and when the thunder struck, everyone jumped 3-4 feet off the floor.  All batteries were charged, cars and people!

What's Up With Willy - Technician

In 2008 Willy along with his wife and children made the big move from Germany to Canada and he began working at West Park as a technician shortly there after. Willy was taken aback by the size of everything in a Canadian shop compared to those in Germany. Willy stated,  “The engines and the trucks I work on here are all so much bigger. Everything is different. That's the best part of my job. I'm always learning and everything is new and exciting. With GM I've had to learn a new computer system and while learning all of these new things I'm also learning a new language!”. Willy’s cheerful ways helped him fit right in with the rest of the technicians at West Park, even before he had a full grasp of English.

Aunt Olly is Treated to a Surprise

If you are in your 40s or 50s and from this area you probably still have fond memories of scurrying home after school, grabbing a brownie and milk and then cozying in close to a cranked up radio, just in time to join Aunt Olly, Tall Fireman Paul and other friends on her program. Former radio personality, Aunt Olly (Olly Penner) of Altona is retired, enjoying life, and just enjoyed a ride in a Pontiac Solstice convertible, supplied by West Park Motors, with former CFAM co-worker, David Wiebe. The ride was arranged when David spotted a red 1966 Pontiac convertible a few weeks ago. This car reminded him of the time when fellow CFAM employee, Sam Schellenberg had given Aunt Olly a ride in news anchor, Harv Kroeker’s candy apple red Pontiac convertible about 40 years ago. After many years of making children smile and surprising them over the radio by telling them where they would find their birthday presents, it was Aunt Olly's turn for a surprise. She had no idea what to expect when David called to say he was coming to pick her up… the convertible was a TOTAL surprise and she LOVED it!

(In the photo above, Elmer Hildebrand stands by while David Wiebe gives Aunt Olly a ride.)

Meet Edward - Technician

Edward joined our staff as a technician in March of 2006.  He moved here from the Philippines, where he also worked in the automotive field.  Working at a GM dealer in Canada has been a completely different experience than what Edward was used to back home.  He is currently enrolled in the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP), alternating between work and school, and says the part of his job that he enjoys the most is that he is always learning something new.  "It's been a challenge but fun," Edward commented.  Edward has put some creativity into the paint job on his current car but in his dreams he pictures himself driving a Camaro just like Bumble Bee from Transformers.

Kelly - Technician

Have you seen the snazzy blue and white '70 Chevelle SS cruising through town?  Maybe, but only if the weather conditions were just right, because this is Kelly's "sugar car"!  If he were to also own a new sports car, Kelly would tearing up the roads in a red Z06 Corvette, "because they're fast, of course!"  In the almost 20 years that Kelly has worked at West Park, a project that sticks out in his mind as a highlight is when he worked on a '55 Chevy that was restored and hot-rodded.  Kelly installed a high-stall torque converter for faster launch.  You can always tell when Kelly is working because you can hear his cheerful laugh across the shop.  He knows how to have fun while getting the job done!