Car salesman in Sudbury reflects on five-decade career
A Sudbury car salesman is getting ready to call it a day after more than 50 years.
Moe Bradley was in his 20s while working at a bank when he was approached by the owner of what was then called Meredith Connelly Motors in Sudbury.
“He offered me a job because the older salesman wouldn’t sell Malibus. I went home to talk to my dad and he said oh, you’re not going to work in the car industry. I said they’re going to give me a car dad,” said Bradley.
That was in 1964, and within a month he sold nine of the vehicles.
“I’ve worked for four owners now. I worked for Mr. Meredith, his son Ron, and I worked for Kelly Campbell for many years, then Dan Courville bought it and he retired, now Denis Lauzon owns it,” Bradley said.
Denis Lauzon is the general manager of Southside Chevrolet and has worked with Bradley since 1994.
“One thing that impresses me the most about Moe is you know when he started there wasn’t any computers as everything was done manually, and as the automation of the auto industry progressed through the years Moe was able to keep up. He learned the computer stuff pretty quickly and is able to adapt to new times which has kept his career relevant all these years,” Lauzon said.
Lauzon said the automotive industry tends to have a lot of turnover, so the fact that Bradley has had a career that as lasted over 5 decades is something to be celebrated.
“He’s got thousands of customers so it’s a testament. I don’t know how many Moes there are out there but I don’t think there’s many.”
Bradley attributes his long career to being healthy and loving what he does.
“Eight-tracks and then the CDs, all of this has changed, and it has made me up to date and staying alert on the job.”
He could tell you about the times people paid cash for vehicles and all the cool new technology he's seen arrive over the years, but that’s not what Bradley said he’ll remember most.
“I’ve had grandfathers and their sons and daughters and grandchildren all kinds of them over the years and that’s been a highlight. It’s people for me, not the cars,” said Bradley.
Bradley estimates he’s sold 10,500 vehicles over the years, and while he said he’d like to keep working for another 50 years, he decided he didn’t want to work past the age of 80, a milestone he will mark on Nov.30. His last day will be on Dec 31 and Bradley plans to spend his retirement at his cottage on Penage Lake and hopefully travel to see family.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.