We now decided that we needed an enclosed larger vehicle. I found a used 'bread truck' from D'orios Bakery in Utica. When we went to bring it home it was freezing cold, and we discovered that the heater wasn't working and stopping was a challenge as the brakes were 'shot'. This didn't deter our enthusiasm and we repaired it and off we went to continue 'taking it to the city'. We now could stay inside and be protected from the weather. My Dad & I continued to build our route and we added some stops along the way. My friend Dick arranged for us to go to Unity Life once a week. Those that chose to could come out to our truck @ noon and purchase 'fresh' fruits & veggies. We also would stop @ the 'Salvation Army' on Salina Street and that allowed the 'folks' there to also be afforded this way of purchasing produce at a very reasonable price. On one trip there, we were busy waiting on customers and when we went to our money box to make change it was gone and the thief could be seen running down the street. We had no choice but to continue for the day for which ended with a net loss. I guess it is kind of like 'the show must go on'. This was a very proud and humbling time for me because I was working side by side with my Dad. I believe it was the beginning of the second of the 'fruit truck' years that my Dad suffered a stroke. This was a very hard time for my Mom, older brother Pat, and myself. My Dad was never able to work with me again, but I would still pick him up @ 5 AM and we would go to the market together. He never regained his full speech and mobility. He did however continue to make the best of his situation. I always attributed this stroke to a 'broken heart' for which never mended when Jimmy died. He could be seen walking to Denny's quite often and he always managed to get out some curse words which always got your attention! Every Friday would find him @ my uncle Frank's house playing pinochle. My Mom became his primary caregiver and attended to his every need. It is amazing how today this same 'fruit truck' concept has been resurrected as a means of getting good food to 'city folks' as I write. It is sponsored by the Regional Market. Now let me add some more history. My Grandfather, Sam, with his dad, sold produce off a small wagon which they pulled. Their route was on the same west side streets that I now traveled in my truck. This business had now expanded to include more streets and my regular customer base was growing rapidly. To be able to survive in this business, in this area, . I had to allow credit, accept food stamps and cash all manner of government checks. This area of Syracuse has one of the lowest per capital incomes in the U.S and I needed to accommodate every possible avenue to make a sale and thus be profitable. I also began having customers call me on my cell phone (it was one of the first) it weighed about 10 lbs! I purchased an inverter and this allowed me to run a digital scale, lighting and eventually a lap top computer to access the hundreds of accounts I now had. One day when I was working the south side route a very young black boy entered my life. He was so personable and had this huge all encompassing smile. He was persistent in his quest to gain my friendship. It worked. Stan and I began a friendship that still endures today. Meanwhile, Lou, my former boss @ Colonial began to help me by driving while I waited on the customers. I always kept to my schedule and my word for which really helped build trust. I sold to every ethnicity that lived in this 'melting pot' of our city. I began to learn and speak a few pertinent words of Arabic such as bananas, tomatoes, grapes and so on. I also began to count in Arabic which was a great motivator to understand and keep ahead of the bartering, which could be intense. I became friends to many Arab store owners there wives and children. I also tried to cater to the many different tastes because of the many cultures and customs. Eventually Tom, Lou's son started to drive my truck every Saturday, which began @ 8 am on Marcellus Street. This began a working relationship that would last many years. When Tom finished high school he came on board full time. He was young, ambitious and loyal. We became a team that was made in heaven. I have so many happy memories of our time together. I hope you will enjoy some pics that I have attached and that you will return to read my next and final installment in this series....Thanks to all..... Happy Father's Day....
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