Gas-p! Wellesley laments departure of legendary mechanic Larry Ng

Wellesley is abuzz this weekend about news that Larry Ng, who owned a pair of gas stations/garages across from each other on Rte. 9 in Wellesley Hills, has retired from the business.

While there is reportedly more to this story, an employee at one of the stations told Mrs. Swellesley that Ng took early retirement for health reasons, as he plans to get surgery on his legs that will involve a long recovery. We’ve been unable to get more information about Ng’s whereabouts at this point.

While I confess that I never took my car to Ng (I always heard great things about him, but the business just wasn’t on my circuit), I did happen to meet the Honda-loving mechanic at his station across from the fire station for the first time a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday when the shop was closed and we each just happened to be stopped there.

Ng has been recognized for his service over the years, including with a 2005 Community Appreciation Award during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. According to the Better Business Bureau, Larry Ng’s Auto Repair has been operating since the late 1980s.

An outpouring of tributes for Ng has flooded online forums, including our Facebook page:

• “Larry Ng is an extraordinary man. He is a very knowledgeable and expetienced mechanic especially on hondas and foreign cars. And a great guy to know and work for.
  Hes very polite fair and trustful.
  A man of his word.
  He created a precision run business with a zest for customer service.”
• “Larry your instincts for car repair go beyond talent and experience. You have a gift. Best of luck in retirement, you certainly earned it.”
• “Seriously the end of an era. He will be missed!”