Garry Bartraw - 60 Years on the Job and Still Going!

To most people - a 'full career' means working until you're 60 years old.  To Garry Bartraw, a full career is working for 60 years!

This month we're celebrating a very rare vocational achievement; and not just at Petrie Ford, but perhaps in Canada or even the World.  This month 60 years ago Garry Bartraw started work at Petrie Ford (then called Edwards Ford). His job title from the original hiring file - dated 1958 (which we still have) -  shows "Parts Salesman".  Although his title has since changed to a more modern "Wholesale Parts Specialist", he's excelled at and gained notoriety in the auto industry as a tried and true professional who's seen - and been - through it all!

Make no mistake, this is NOT a retirement announcement.  Right now, as you read this, Garry is out making his rounds to our loyal wholesale parts clients.  Unless you're reading this at night in which case he'll be planning his next day's client visits and cold calls.

Liz Grypma - Office & HR Manager at Petrie Ford - says about Garry's long tenure -  "I think it's about time we call Webster's and have them update their definition of 'Loyalty' and 'Dedication' with a photo of Garry and his ROE (record of employment). "

The working culture philosophy behind our highly experienced staff at Petrie Ford is simple:  Find great people who do great work and treat them like family.   Steve Petrie, President and Owner of Petrie Ford has long been known for saying - "I hire good people for life..." .   Garry (like many other highly experienced staff and managers) are proof of that sentiment, and perhaps took the "...for life..." part literally!

Of the roughly 65 full time employees at Petrie Ford,  two have worked over 50 years, three over 40 years, nine over 30 years, one over 20 years and nine over 10 years.  And with a swath of fresh young talented hires over the last 5 years, Petrie Ford is priming for the future by learning from those with literally a life of experience.  It's this relay of unheard of experience and wisdom that has made Petrie Ford South Eastern Ontario's choice Ford store since 1949.

They say that the next generation of workers are less focused on seniority and tenure;  but at Petrie Ford the younger staff look up to living legends like Garry as a beacon of inspiration.  We would all be so lucky to be able to work at something we love and make a long lasting career out of it.

Thank you for your outstanding loyalty, dedication and service over the last 60 years Garry!  We'll see you tomorrow, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!