Oliver E. Labar
Oliver E. LaBar, 80, of Bangor R.3, Washington Township, died Friday in Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Palmer Township. He was the husband of Edna M. (Ladner) LaBar.
He owned and operated the former Hudson Sales and Service, Washington Township, for more than 37 years. Before that, he was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Corp.
Pasquale J. Ronco, 86
Owned Auto Repair Shop In Bangor For 53 Years
Pasquale J. "Pat" Ronco, 86, of Slate Belt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bangor R.2, died there Tuesday. He was the husband of Mildred (Snyder) Ronco. They were married 57 years.
He owned the Ronco American Motors auto repair shop in Bangor from 1935 until 1988.
Born in Flicksville, he ws a son of the late Joseph and Lucia (Falcone) Ronco.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Bangor.
This is a story of two car dealerships, on the same road between small
towns in EasternPennsylvania. But really it is the story of two men, who ran
the family owned businesses, since before WWII, and how a decision made in the
spring of 1954 changed their lives forever. Ironic in that it occurred on my
birthday, May 1st, but it would happen on someone’s birthday, why not mine. The
two families were the LaBar’s and the Ronco’s. The LaBar family owned and
operated O.E. LaBar Hudson Sales and Service, while Pat Ronco owned and operated
Ronco Nash Motors. Two names that would go down in history that May, as both
companies were to merge into American Motors, and within two short years,
Hudsons would be no more, and Nashes would be Ramblers. A merger that created
one company, but eliminated both at the same time. Two proud names going back
to the early 1900’s, represented by two families until the end.
My Grandmother always bought her cars from Pat. When she wanted another
car, she would call him, and when he answered the phone, usually climbing out
from underneath a car, he would tell her what she wanted, and give her an offer
on her trade in over the phone. He didn’t need to see it, he had always
serviced it and knew the car, and Pat was always fair, having scribbled the deal
on whatever paper was in his pocket, and getting together at Grandma’s
convenience. Pat wasNash, and soon was to be Rambler, and as the decades wore
on, soon was to be American Motors, the new company formed by the merger,who in
1987 Chrysler would absorb. But back then he was Pat, and when anyone would
trade, he had a list of people looking for that used car. “Mrs. Reimer, I have
the car your niece needs, yes Mrs. Mohn’s ‘62 coupe. Yes, I’llhave it ready for
tomorrow. We’ll work out a price then. See you then.” And that was how Pat
did business...until his death, and the building was shuttered, and only
memories remain, like these.
Mr. LaBar was always referred to as Mr. LaBar. Not sure what the O.E.
stood for, but his building always looked closed, except for some old cars
parked out front, and some Hudsons parked in the showroom. Old Coca Cola signs
were painted with his name on them, and many times I would stop by, but the
doors were locked, nobody home. Until one afternoon with my Grandpa we stopped
by, we had been talking cars, and he was curious too about what was inside. And
this day some 20 years after the merger, the door was open, and an old man
greeted us, Mr. LaBar. He wondered what we wanted,as he didn’t know us, he knew
his customers like Pat knew his, and didn’t have time for strangers. But
something clicked, and we talked for about 45 minutes about Hudson, and his
falling out with them after the merger. He didn’t care for hobby folks coming
in, this was an active Hudson dealership, he had never terminated his franchise
agreement. And he still had new, not NOS Hudson parts on the shelf, bought when
it was evident Hudson would go on to car heaven. Signs graced the showroom,
telling of the new 1954 Hudsons, and how step down motoring was still the way to
go. And was proven by Hudson’s wins in NASCAR, due to their superior handling,
and winning against V-8 when Hudson only raced a 6. Like Pat they both had a
racing heritage, and Pat had still raced old R-12 at Nazareth until it became a
NASCAR track. But while Pat had moved on with the times, Mr. LaBar had stayed
in 1954, and Pat was given the franchise rights for the new company. A
bitterness that came through during our time spent together that
afternoon.
Mr. LaBar still worked on his customers cars, and would not work on any car
newer than a 1954-the year Hudson died, in his eyes. And he was plenty busy, as
shown by his full garage, and had a slightly used 1953 Hornet on floor, that a
lady had traded in on a 1954, staying as current as Hudson would allow her.
Loyal customers, loyal dealers, and a loyalty that went much deeper than ever
showed from the street. He even used two or three Hudson pickups for working
and hauling coal for the huge paint booth sized heater in winter. He was Hudson
to the end, and sometime in the 1990’s he passed, and so did Hudson with him,
with a strip mall now where Mr. LaBar used to represent Hudson. 40 years after
Hudson died, so did O.E. LaBar Hudson Sales and Service, the likes never to be
seen again. Mr. LaBar had been looking for a way back, but that was never to
be. And we are the poorer for it.
A rich man once asked Jesus how to inherit the Kingdom of God.
How to get back to God. But didn’t get the full ramifications of who Jesus was
and is. He didn’t see that he had to change to with the situations, and how it
would not and could not ever be the same. For just like Job who had lost
everything, he had everything too, and wasn’t willing to give it up. So unlike
Job he would not be eternally rewarded, and not see heaven. He didn’t change
like Mr. LaBar didn’t, and stayed just where he was for the rest of his days.
Sadly passing on whatever inheritance he may have had to those who didn’t earn
it. When he could have had something, the free gift of salvation that cannot be
earned. He could have been like Pat, and moved on, the merger giving him new
business and a future, but he chose what he could see and hear instead of what
was promised. He never knew the way back to God was Jesus, and stayed in his
current state until death, with life passing him by. Mr. LaBar and Pat both
stayed true to their core beliefs, one changing the other stubborn and bitter.
A good example of how change can affect a life, and when Jesus is that change
how it is worth the living.
Built into each one of us is a void that only Jesus can fill.
it is the way back to God, to the way things were before sin, and how they will
be in heaven. A franchised deal, where a covenant is formed between you and the
creator of the universe, with no term limits. But like Mr. LaBar we hang onto a
past, choosing to remember how it was, rather than how it can be. For it takes
faith, a flexibility of life to change with Jesus, and follow His lead. To not
lean on our own understanding, and know for sure that change is an on going
thing, something we will endure here on earth. But that in trusting Jesus, we
don’t need to worry, and that no matter what happens, He will see us through
it. He is the ultimate merger, bringing both God and a fallen man back
together, on terms no one else can offer. His promises are as good as the
Hudson parts in stock, not reproductions or aftermarket, they fit perfectly as
they were designed by their creator for that special purpose, you. His word is
as good as the notes written on paper in Pat’s pockets, better still as they are
written on our hearts, never to be misplaced, and always with us.
And He is always with us, unlike Hudson and Nash, and Ramblers.
All three only a memory, remembered more by the people who owned them than by
those who sold them. Not one better than the other, just a different
perspective. How you see Jesus will make all the difference in your life today,
and forever. A business who is a sure thing, a place to invest with guaranteed
returns. And He returned for us setting the example. Where are Nash and Hudson
today?
Complete the merger deal with God today in Jesus. Give up the old franchise of death and sin for a new covenant that truly delivers. You don’t have to go way back to know that Jesus is the way back. You can start now....a perfect merger that gives you a new birth, and new birthday. A day and a God to remember...just like that May day in 1954. Life began for one man on that day and ended for another. Your choice, today is the time to begin anew in Christ.
Complete the merger deal with God today in Jesus. Give up the old franchise of death and sin for a new covenant that truly delivers. You don’t have to go way back to know that Jesus is the way back. You can start now....a perfect merger that gives you a new birth, and new birthday. A day and a God to remember...just like that May day in 1954. Life began for one man on that day and ended for another. Your choice, today is the time to begin anew in Christ.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthw25biker.blogspot.com