CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE June 27, 2018
On June 27, staff and customers at J & J Gas and Grocery in Shawville gathered to say farewell to the man who’s pumped their gas for years.
Walter Nimchuk has worked as an attendant for 30 years, 18 of those with current owners Brian and Janet Rogers.
He was in between the pumps for one last shift on Wednesday, and Janet commented he would be a hard employee to replace.
“He’s got a weird sense of humour,” she said. “All the customers love him.”
A cake was made for the occasion, adorned with a vintage gas pump and attendant. Long-time customers and friends stopped by for a bite and congratulated Nimchuk on his retirement.
Originally from Sydney N.S., Nimchuk moved to the area from the east coast in the mid-80s.
“I came up here for a visit and never left,” he said.
To celebrate his new-found freedom, he said will be heading back east to do some fishing with his brother.
Janet said she doubted that this would be the last she saw of Nimchuk, noting that he would probably join the usual suspects who often occupy the bench out front of the business.
“Pretty sure we’ll run into him somewhere,” she said with a laugh.
Nimchuk agreed.
“That’s the retirement bench,” he said.
