This is why I chose not to go to Salem, and several other events lately.....

This had alot to do with why I wasn't at Salem this year, along with several other shows. I am trying to get this car finished for a very good friend of mine who is battling liver cancer.

Steve has been a great guy as long as I have known him(Approximately 20 years or so). He has never drank, smoke, cussed, screwed around on his wife, called in sick for work....he always donates time to friends, family, the church, the community and all other organizations. He has always been extremely helpful in the local boy scouts, and the boys club. Steve has never spent money foolishly, and the only real thing he has ever bought for himself was this vette, which he has always wanted since he graduated from high school in 1966.

Steve's mother has been plagued with ill health for years, and his dad battled alzheimers until he lost him in January. Steve bought this corvette several years ago, but spun a rod bearing and wouldn't spend the money to fix this car. Just didn't want to take money from his family....you know, "I'll get to it some day".

Steve was looking forward to retiring in about three years. In february he was still feeling fatigue from taking care of his home, his mom and dad's home, and working sometime as much as 70 hours a week....all while he was going to the nursing home each and every evening, and three times a day on the weekends and holidays to see that his father was getting the care he deserved. Steve went to work at 5:00 a.m., worked till 5 or so, went to the nursing home and fed/cleaned his father, and then went back to work till 10 or 11....FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK!!!! In return, since he doesn't have long term disability available to him, his company has decided to retire him.

Did I mention that Steve worked up to 70 hours a week so that he could put his son thru college, and law school?

When Steve spun the bearing in this car, about 6 years ago, he asked me if I would help him fix it. With all the events in his life he just never got to it, and never wanted to spend the money...."just in case".

I mentioned that Steve was not feeling well in february, right? That is when he ended up in Cleveland Clinic and found out he had pancreatitist<sp?> and liver cancer. His prognosis isn't the most positive, and he just really wanted the vette fixed so that "his wife won't have to mess with it". I am hoping to have it finished so that he can still enjoy it some.

I have spent every extra hour I have trying to get the long list of items finished on this car so that he can drive it some........

Please remember Steve in each of your prayers. He is a very young 57 years old loving family man with a heart of gold. He is, and will always be my mentor for the engineering business.

What in the car world is more beautiful than a 66 Corvette, 327/350HP, 4 speed, tuxedo black roadster with red interior, side pipes and knockoffs?

Thanks

John

 

John,

What you are doing is "Big".
You are trully a special friend.


GOD BLESS...Hope the two of you get to go rip it up, top down and all! :TU:

 

God Bless You
you will know what it means when he walks out and sees it
i have been through cancer twice now
the second time here i could not ride my harley anymore
had it for a long time
i lost most of my spine now to cancer and have alot of metal back there
anyways
your story realy hit me where it counts
my friend took my harley that went tight and fixed it up
brought it ove all shined up and fixed
i could do nothing with it in the garage for 2 years so it sat and went bad
he did it all on his time and cash
you will know what he will feel when you see him
its tough but friend like you
true friends are hard to come by
friends like i have
there will be space for you up there when the time comes
you just choke me up when i read this as i know what he is going through and what gets left behind
Greg

 

YOu are what I would consider a true friend . That is something very hard to find now days . You will be paid many times over for your great friendship . Your payment will be in Heaven . there is a special place there for friends like you .

 

Very nice what you're doing.

Oh, the only thing better would be a 67 427/435hp convertible 4-speed.

 

You are a great friend.
God Bless You Both with strength and courage.

 

John, that is a great deed, and I hope you two get to enjoy many miles to come in that car! :TU: God Bless!

 

That is the definition of a selfless act. May God bless and protect you both.

 

Guys,

Thanks to all of you with your kind words of encouragement. I am not doing this for me, and I wasn't trying to draw attention to myself. The simple fact is we all know people like Steve. He has got to be one of the greatest guys I have ever met. People like him bring the best out of every individual they come in contact with. Each and every one of us would love to be able to do something, no matter how small for a person this selfless! I am honored to have a friend such as Steve....and this is just a small token of my appreciation for all that he has brought to those he touches each day.

Thanks again.

John

 

You are a TRUE friend John, its people like you that make all us buick guys proud!!!!!!!!! There is no escape when hard times come around, but a cruise with top down will bring a smile to your friends face. GOD bless you and Steve. :3gears: :TU:

 

John....God Bless you, and God Bless Steve. You are a true friend and I'll pray for both you guys.

 

Things are looking up.....

Thank you... Things are going well. Progress on the car is going slow, but Steve wants this done once and once only. He is feeling much better. He has been on a prescription which helps his body generate red blood cells, and that has made an incredible difference in his attitude and the way he looks. He still hasn't had any luck getting his surgery rescheduled, but we are hopefull it will happen quickly and soon. His recovery from this surgery will take 3-4 months.

I am posting a few progress photos here, along with a photo of a very expensive work bench in my garage......(those valve covers are only keeping stuff out of the heads until the correct valve covers are finished polished)





Thanks for all the words of encouragement, and keep the prayers going please.

John

 

God bless, and my hopes are with you and Steve.

 

everybody should have a friend like you

 

What a great friend you are!!! Cheers to you, I lost a good friend to cancer one year ago, you will always treasure the time that you have with him now!

Ok, now if you really want to cheer him up, put a Buick 350 in his Vette!

Take care and God bless!
Tim

 

Update

Well,

A quick update. Steve has had his surgery, and is in recovery now. They removed half of his liver, and are getting ready to start him in Chemo, and Radiation therapy both at the same time. He is weak, but each day he looks a bit better. He isn't out of the woods yet.....

Here is an update on his car. The paintwork is finished and now we are down to the buffing. Steve has decided we should take it off the frame and rebuild all the suspension as we are this far along now.

 

Friends

John, I wish I live close enough to help turn the wrenches. My prayers for a full recovery for Steve. Jim

 

You Are

John , You are what makes this world of ours a better place too live in, you also are what this hobby of ours should be about..LENDING A HELPING HAND WHEN NEEDED.
God Bless you and Your Friend,
Don

 

Well.....took another turn today.

Someday, after all the painting and cleaning is finished....I will finally reassemble it.

 

A True Friend

John, I look at what you are doing as God's work and friends like you prove there is a heaven. What you are doing is wounderful and I wish the best for Steves recovery, AL.