Obituaries

Harry Belmont

Harry Belmont, a former Carstar franchise owner, passed away on Dec. 26, 2008, following a long battle with cancer.

Belmont is credited with launching the strong relationship between Carstar Automotive Canada and the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, after his granddaughter was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

For the past nine years the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the charity of choice for Carstar Automotive Canada. To date, Carstar collision centres have raised more than $1.5 million to help find a cure.

Gerry Preddy

Gerry Preddy, an outspoken member of the British Columbia collision repair community, passed away on December 5, 2008.

Preddy helped many shop owners through bureaucratic and legal tangles, and was known for his big heart, positive outlook, and tenacity.

“He felt very strongly about doing the right thing,” says his son Ian Preddy, manager of Sopron Auto Body Ltd. in Delta, B. C. “One of his favourite sayings was ‘Failure is not an option.'”

Preddy was a founding member of the United Auto Trades Association, a provincial association of collision repair and auto glass businesses.