"I probably met Henry 30 years ago, said longtime customer Dennis Yniguez, who helped organize the party along with his wife, Anne. There was something about Henry, his integrity, his straightforward response to any question was extraordinary. The integrity, the reliability, the trust, added Anne Yniguez. If he needed to give you bad news, he gave you the bad news."
"Enrique Henry Basurto was born in Lima, Peru, in 1935. His grandfather was an American, who docked in Peru as a sailor in the Navy, fell in love with a young Peruvian girl and decided to go AWOL. He never returned to the U.S., but told his grandson about the country and encouraged him to emigrate, according to Henry's son, Lonnie Basurto."
"After studying to become a mechanic in Argentina, Basurto emigrated to the U.S. through Miami in 1957, found a job as a truck mechanic in New York, and soon sent for his pregnant wife. But one cold winter in New York was too much for the young couple, and they soon moved to California where Basurto had a brother."
Henry's Service, a beloved Westbrae auto repair shop, closed after nearly 50 years of operation. Founded by 91-year-old Henry Basurto in 1977 when he purchased a Union 76 gas station on Gilman Street, the shop became known for its integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness. Basurto emigrated from Peru to the United States in 1957, initially working as a truck mechanic in New York before relocating to California. He previously co-founded A&H Truck Repair in Oakland, specializing in big rig repairs. The business remained a family operation, with his son Lonnie working there since childhood. Customers organized a celebration on April 30 to honor the shop's legacy and its founder's commitment to honest service.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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