More than 60 years in the industry includes 47 years locally with most of those as Mulwala Auto Tyre & Marine Manager.
John retired last Thursday, on the eve of Easter.
“It’s been very good and I’ve been well supported from the word go,” he said.
“I’ve had a good few employees, some going onto setting up their own businesses in town.
“It’s been a highlight to see them progress, and some have even come back.”
For six decades, John has serviced and repaired all makes of cars, trucks, buses and boats, tyres, batteries, and windscreens.
He’s been an inboard boat specialist, and licensed vehicle tester for Victoria and NSW; John has done it all, with enormous enjoyment from being able to help people.
“Seeing people satisfied and keep coming back, and the thanks we get from people, has really been terrific,” he said.
“He’s a great mechanic, a great bloke and Mulwala will miss him so much.”
John turns 80 in July. He has lived and breathed the motor vehicle industry but due to serious health issues in recent years, he has called it a day after selling the business last year.
A young John Lee worked for a few years with his dad, Jack Lee in Melbourne on the site of today’s Crown Casino, before and after starting his apprenticeship in 1965.
He bought the Ampol Service Station in Yarrawonga in 1978 and subsequently worked at Greg Latta’s Shell Service Station.
When Greg sold, John moved to a shed, on the current site in Melbourne Street, and established Mulwala Auto Tyre & Marine more than four decades ago.
“Greg came and worked for me and helped me establish the business,” John said.
“He’s a former employer and a very good friend of mine.”
Lea Collins has been Mulwala Auto secretary for nearly two years and described John as “the kindest, sweetest man who’d do anything for everybody”.
“It’s very sad the business is closing,” Lea said.
Mulwala Progress Association president Robert (Possum) Purtle is long retired from a business which owned several vehicles.
He agreed that John Lee was “one of the nicest blokes you’d ever want to meet”.
“He’s helped so many people with their mechanical problems and takes such an interest in people’s vehicles,” Mr Purtle said.
“I’ve known ‘Meadow’ for 30 years and he’s always serviced our vehicles extremely well.
“I believe he has never charged full price.
“He’s a great mechanic, a great bloke and Mulwala will miss him so much.”
15°C