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Over the years, she, her brother or their dad have brought lawn mowers and small engines in need of repair over to the shop at the southwest corner of Markham Road and Milner Avenue.

But last Friday, June 1, Weyers and a few other loyal customers weren't dropping off mowers, boats, snowmobiles or other motors when they stopped by the Scarborough business.

This time, they were offering best wishes to owner Lloyd Gillham and his son Gary Gillham, who co-own the business, as they pulled their last shift. The father and son team are retiring, selling the property to a traffic ticket business, which now leases the location next door from them.

Agincourt Auto will be missed, according to Weyers, who praised the Gillhams as business owners who deliver dependable, honest service.

"They have taken very good care of the family," she said. "I'm trying to figure out where to go (now). It hard, if you've had somebody you can count on for that long."

Lloyd said he didn't tell many people he was closing.

"People who know me can hardly believe it. They say 'You're a fixture, they'll have to carry you out'," he said.

"I'm going to miss a lot of people. We're a tradition here. I look after three generations, that's not unusual."

Lloyd owned shops in other locations before setting up permanently at Markham and Milner 42 years ago.

"It was a property that had great potential," he said.

Now 79, Lloyd started in the industry 63 years ago in 1944 and earned his mechanics licence in 1949.

Gary recalls carrying the cement blocks to the property when he was about 13 or 14 years old and watching his dad build the shop by hand.

While at 50, Gary is young enough to carry on the business himself, he said it's a two-person operation that he can't handle himself.

"It's sad (to be closing the store), but I want a change. It's time for a change," he said. "The amount of hours, it's too demanding. It's six days a week and you can't go away from it. It's time I had a weekend off."

Gary, who may pursue a part-time job, said his favourite memories date back years ago when he, his dad and some others would ride snowmobiles north from the shop through a more rural Scarborough up to Markham.

Lloyd remembers when nearby Hwy. 401 was a two-lane highway, with just a handful of exits because it served as bypass across the top of the city taking traffic out of Toronto.

Several farms surrounded Agincourt Auto then.

"It's been a big, big change," said Lloyd, who chaired the small engine dealers' association for 30 years.

Adjacent to the store is the house he shared with his wife, Hazel, until she died in 1991. In addition to Gary, the couple also has a daughter, Sharron.

An admittedly gruff man, Lloyd beams when he shows off pictures of Sharron's daughter Cara, his only grandchild, who has earned three university degrees in law and medicine. "I've been noted as a grumpy old guy for years, but people overlook that when they get their equipment back and it works properly," he said.

Closing in on 80, Lloyd agreed it's time to retire. But, in large part, he blames increasing business taxes in Toronto for his decision.

"The biggest point is (Mayor David) Miller is destroying us. Taxes are just killing us," he said, adding many customers are not as appreciative these days.

"You drive up and down any street and you see for rent or for sale signs."

Still, despite the drawbacks, Lloyd said he's enjoyed being a mechanic because he finds the work "intriguing."

"You either have to love your job or you're not successful," he said.

Lloyd and Gary are proud 24 apprentices who have worked at their store over the years have earned their mechanics licences.

One is Steve Barron, who joined the business three and a half years ago. He had been working in the meat department of a local grocery store when his grandmother suggested he apply at Agincourt Auto.

"It's been the best three and a half years of my life. I would stake my life on that," he said. "Lloyd has been a great guy to me. I really look up to him. He's got a good heart. He treats people the way they deserve to be treated. It's been a great trip."

Lloyd is moving to Pickering, where he said he'll volunteer his time helping people.

"There will always be someone who needs a silent helping hand. That's where I'll be."