Author: The Record
Published October 30, 2024

Photo by William Crooks
Delly and her son Larry Paradis stand together outside Service G. L. Paradis on Oct. 30, marking the end of 51 years of service to the Lennoxville community

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

After more than half a century, Service G. L. Paradis, a Lennoxville institution, is set to close on Oct. 31. For owners Larry Paradis and his mother, Delly, the time has come to retire, bringing an end to a garage that has served local residents since Oct. 1, 1973.

“Tomorrow night at five o’clock we’re putting the key in the door, and that’s the end of Service G. L. Paradis,” Delly said in an Oct. 30 interview on location.

The Paradis family launched the garage 51 years ago, providing mechanical repairs and selling gas to locals and travelers passing through Lennoxville. Delly recalls the early days with fondness, noting, “We used to have lineups right up to the hotel … we were the lowest around.” In those days, prior to Highway 55, everyone traveled through Lennoxville to reach Quebec City, drawing crowds to the garage, some even from the wider Sherbrooke area.

Delly and her husband started the business together, but by the early 1980s, they had brought their youngest son, Larry, into the family trade. With Larry’s involvement, Service G. L. Paradis expanded, adding towing services to its repertoire. “We started with one towing [vehicle], then two, then three, and a little service vehicle,” Delly shared. This expansion marked a new chapter for the garage, one that would continue through several decades and many changes in the industry.

One of the unique features of Service G. L. Paradis was its commitment to full-service gas. When most stations in the area moved to self-service, Service G. L. Paradis continued providing service at the pump—a decision driven by customer loyalty. “We had so many loyal customers,” Delly explained. “So, we gave the service with it.” Larry recalled that some customers, particularly elderly patrons, relied on this service, with one long-time customer even remarking when it was removed a few years ago, “I had to put gas in my own car for the first time in 46 years, and it’s your fault.”

Looking back on their years in business, Larry and Delly highlighted the strong community relationships they built, noting both the joy of working with long-time customers and the sadness of seeing some of them pass on. “We had a lot of great, wonderful customers,” Delly said, expressing gratitude for their loyalty over the years. Despite the end of Service G. L. Paradis, the family has recommended other garages they trust to those looking for a new service provider. “They all ask where can we go, we try and send them where they’ll get good service,” Larry noted.

The decision to close was not easy, but both Larry and Delly agreed it was time. While Delly plans to focus on building a new home and travel, the future of the building remains undecided. “We have to finish with the de-pollution [process] first,” she explained, though a few parties have expressed interest in keeping it as a garage.

Reflecting on the evolution of the industry, Larry noted that the rapid shift toward computerized and electric vehicles has changed the landscape of auto repair. “Everything is getting computerized,” he said, hinting at the challenges small garages face in keeping up with technological advancements. Although skeptical of the impact of electric cars, he recognized the need to adapt, a factor that weighed in his decision to step back.

With their final day approaching, the Paradis family will be closing a chapter in Lennoxville’s local history, leaving behind a legacy of reliability, community service, and dedication. The garage may soon belong to someone else, but Service G. L. Paradis’s 51-year impact on Lennoxville is sure to be remembered by the many customers who relied on the Paradis family for more than just car repairs.

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