Corner Gas

The edited version of this story first appeared in Simcoe Life Magazine

Spring 2008

Volume 4 Issue 1

 

 

Gas attendant has seen a lot of changes

Not even the intense summer heatwave can keep gas attendant Lloyd Austin indoors. Most days, excluding rainy or snowy ones, you'll see him sitting outside, wearing his identifiable straw hat, as you drive past the County Rd. 16 gas station, located in Fesserton. Working under LAS (Lloyd Austin Services), Austin has been serving gasoline to his customers for 41 years, the last 22 of those years at his Fesserton location.

Deeply tanned lines of life and experience form a smiley crease around his mouth as he recalls his beginnings. “I started in November of 1966. I really enjoy meeting the public and being of service to people. In this job, you really get the chance to be of service to people. Service – we're one of the few [stations] that actually go out and serve customers.” Windshields are washed without asking and a checking of oil level is offered up while the gas pump number-roll spins away.

On the topic of today's gasoline prices, he jaunts inside to calculate a quick conversion from gallons to litres. After all, he's also seen the implementation of the metric system. Beaming, he explains, “I remember the price of gas when it sat at 8.8 cents per litre. When we switched to the metric system in the 1970s, the price was 22 cents per litre. It's little people – the poor people - that high prices hurt the most.” When asked to describe in one word, his viewpoint on today's prices, he responds with a hearty laugh, “Astronomical.”

Sources: Deeley Harley Davidsoncle & Moped Industry C

ouncil of Canada.