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We Remember When, Supplement of The Canadian Statesman, Wednesday. June 21, 1978 3 Small Beginning When he left the farm perated by his father, F'ederick Nichols, at the age of 18, Roy Nichols went to work with General Motors in Oshawa. Two years later he went to Toronto to take a mechanical course, and then worked for A. D. Gorrie, the big Toronto garage, for a year and a half. Thus, thoroughly equipped with theoretical and practical experience, he bought a lot and erected a small building on the highway in Courtice. His dream had come true then in the spring of 1922, because as he says, "I had always had the idea of going into my own business here." Describing those early days, he remark- ed that "we depended for about 80 per cent of our trade on people's hard luck on the road. I carried on repair work," he continued, "and sold the odd car for other dealers at a small commission." In 1928, he secured the franchise for Willys- Overland, a dealership which gave him the handling of the Whippet and Willys-Knight cars of that time. He sold these cars from 1928 until 1933, when the firm closed down in Canada. Depression days did not bother him unduly, he stated, because he kept his overhead expense down to a minimum. Behind this simple explanation of how he weathered the depres- sion that took wide- spread toll of so many firms lies a story of sound management, shrewdness and busi- ness acumen that is more easily imagined than described. Roy W. Nichols Expanded In 1933 To take care of his growing business, Mr. Nichols erected a build- ing adjoining the old one in 1930. This fine-looking structure, of cement block, fronts the high- way for 60 feet and has a depth of 50 feet. Two double service pumps stand in front, and the completely equipped repair shop occupies space measuring 60 by 30 feet in the rear part of the building. As business grew, Mr. Nichols gradually increased bis staff to 27 persons, mostly sales- men and mechanics. Despite war conditions he still maintained a staff of 17 in January, 1941. At present eight persons are carrying on and doing a fine job. Two girl employees, Evelyn and Lucille Wade, service the gaso- line pumps as weil as looking after the books and parts. Throughout past years, Mr. Nichols bas taken in scores of lads as helpers and, in bis own words, "bas made mechanics of them." He finds keen satisfaction in the fact that 15 of the boys he trained are now serving in the armed forces where their ex- pert skill will be most useful in Canada's high- ly mechanized forces. Sent Car To Africa One of the big secrets of Roy Nichols' success is his policy of turning over a large number of cars at a small margin. Satisfied customers continue to seek him out and he casually remark- ed recently that "the last station wagon I sold went to Africa, near Dakar, for use by mis- sionaries." Thus, it is apparent that there is romance as well as hard work in car dealing on a big scale. The Courtice dealer paid tribute to two other natives of the communi- ty for their co-operation in helping him start his first small garage. These men, Arthur Gay and the late Sidney Brooks encouragedhim while others "said I was crazy," he smiled. Among other prominent business men who claim Courtice as their home is John Stacey, well known as the builder of more than 1,000 dwellings and larger structures in Oshawa and elsewhere. Mr. Nichols spends his leisure time near Caesarea, where he indulges in boating, fish- ing and a little golf. Possibly his greatest hobby is the magnifi- cent Alsation police dog, "Silver." This animal is highly intelligent and very friendly, "except at night," said Mr. Nichols with a smile in reply to a query, adding that Silver is a perfect watchdog at the service station. Public Spirited Citizen Having built a flourishing business through his own enter- prise and integrity, Mr. Nichols finds time to lend a helping hand to others. Whenever a public campaign on be- half of war charities or other worthy causes is launched, Roy Nichols is "on top of the list in giving practical support to it," in the words of one of his friends. "He does lots of charity work of all kinds," this friend states, "as hosts of persons in this com- munity know full well." Mr. Nichols says that car dealers are not complaining although they have not been able to get new cars to sell for more than a year and have had to curtail their business accord- ingly. But they feel they have a big part to play in the war effort and are willing to do all they can to hasten the day of victory by keeping the cars now in use rolling along that wartime transportation will not be further cut down. In this patriotic task Mr. Nichols is doing his full share. It is typical of the public spirited atti- tude and activities that have marked his career down through the years. His story is more than that of a young man who returned to make good in his home community; it is the story of a life of useful service extending to far corners of a great province. Despite handi- caps imposed by a global war, Roy Nichols is carrying on and making a contribution to the war effort with all the energy and ability at his command. A