Franco Annicchiarico (middle) poses with Kamloops Fire Rescue personnel, who were a few of the hundreds of frontline workers who picked up meals offered by Annicchiarico on Friday at the Colombo Lodge in Kamloops (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

FRANCO'S AUTO SERVICE

Celebrating frontline workers: Long-time Kamloops mechanic gives back

Apr 16, 2021 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the last 50 years, he’s been a staple in the automotive business, selling and fixing cars in Kamloops.

Franco Annicchiarico planned to celebrate his half century as the owner of Franco’s Auto Service with a party for the city, but COVID-19 threw a wrench into those plans. So instead, he decided to give back to frontline workers who have given so much to keep our community safe throughout the pandemic, offering 1,000 meals through the Colombo Lodge on Friday.

“They’re working very, very hard, all of them — doctors, nurses, technicians, firefighters, ambulance drivers. Everybody’s working, everybody’s stressed out,” noted Annicchiarico. “They need a little bit of support. It’s not a big deal, but I think they need a little touch.”

The Colombo Lodge has worked hard to give back as well with five such dinners for frontline workers during the pandemic. It’s appreciative of Franco’s efforts to give back, while also supporting the Lodge, which has suffered with the closure of banquet halls.

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“One of our primary goals is to stay connected to the community in a positive way and we felt, even though we had to stretch ourselves, we would offer some support for the frontline workers and healthcare workers — all the people in the community that are basically helping us through this very difficult time,” said President of the Colombo Lodge Ross Spina. “We really admire Franco for coming forward on his 50th anniversary to do the same.”

Annicchiarico moved to Kamloops in 1967, immigrating from Italy when he was 24 years old. It didn’t take Franco long to get into the car business, working as a mechanic before opening his own BMW and Alfa Romeo dealerships in the city in 1971.

It was 27 years ago he sold his dealerships and opened up his repair shop on Lorne Street. In all, it’s been 50 years in the car business and he’s still going strong.

“A lot of rewards, a lot of excitement. I’m an auto mechanic. I had five dealerships in Kamloops in the 70s and 80s and a lot of rewards from manufacturers and customers and my employees,” he said.

Annicchiarico turned 79 in March, but he has no plans to slow down in the business he loves and has invested his whole life in.

“This business will go ahead for a long time. Obviously, I’m almost 80, but I’ll still be here for a while. Who knows what’s going to happen in the future, but the business will stay here forever.”