Reggie's Foreign Auto Works Ltd

09/15/2025

By this time most of you have heard of my brother in-law Stan Dogil ,who has been taken from us so soon. It seems impossible to believe God has bigger plans for Stan than her on earth. Stan is a man of integrity, kindness, considerate, all around an amazing human being.
Over the past 8 months, i have had the privilege of having spent most evenings with Stan and his family having dinner with them along with my mother , whom has moved into Stan's home as mom is being treated for cancer. Stan and i would spend some evenings working on his GTO and then his new dream car 1971 Trans-Am.
We would have shop talk, and i would listen to what his plans are with his new project car. Stan never ever complained about anything. Stan inspired me to look at life with more family values. Stan seemed to have his priorities in check. Stan never even made jokes or have sarcastic remarks about his mother In-law living with him. "Let's be honest", i could not take my mother in-law in to live with me! Stan's love of his wife Nancy has always been his priority, many of times as Stan and I would have conversations , i would hear him say he doesn't want to upset Nancy. most recently as we started assembling the front end of Stan's new project car, Stan would remind me he needs to get the T.A. together enough so Nancy could get her car in the garage for the winter. I offered to make that happen, because i know Stan wasn't one to ask . Stan had a funny way of asking for help, Stan would say to me, can i show you something or he would say i need your opinion on something, or tell me what you think? And before you know it, Stan and I are elbow deep in his car.
I have known Stan 35 + years, but the last 8 months actually spending time with Stan one on one, proved to be the most inspiring and privileged time shared with a extraordinary friend, husband, father, mentor to many, and a brother i never knew i had.
I will miss the text messages i was getting from Stan most days around 4:30 , asking if i was coming for dinner? most days i replied yes of coarse, but if i said not tonight, Stan would text me back , "You must have a date , have fun." The evenings having dinner with the Dogil's including mom, where always interesting. Many dinner conversations were based off my prior date night, Stan would ask if she is nice, is she local, am i going to see her again, but the others, Taylor, Ryan, Nancy, Colleen, James, sometimes Diane and even Mom would come up with their own version of how my date went and they all would run with it. But having that family bonding is worth all the laughs even at my expense. But i knew Stan had my back, at least that is how he made me feel!
I knew back in my early 20's, Stan is my mom's Favorite. One evening i surprised mom showing up at home for dinner, but as always i was late so i opened the freezer to see what i could have, the freezer was half full of frozen pizzas, mom tells me i can't have any of those, they are Stan's! And that was history. Nancy could not have found a better guy to marry. Over time Stan grew on me, i saw his attention to his children, the impressions he left with everyone he had contact with. Most recently 2 months ago i finally took Stan's invite to a Pontiac and Chevy car show. This was my first car show with Stan, and he has invited me to many, I saw Stan light up when we approached the field of cars. Stan knew many people by name and if not by name, he knew the cars they drove. That was one of my most inspiring days i have ever spent with Stan. Stan appreciated the work people put into their cars and made sure they knew it, even if some of the details may have been wrong, Stan never disrespected their efforts.
Stan is missed, but i will never forget how remarkable human being he was and how he has inspired me. Stan's last text message to me was "thank you Brother ".
I love Stan as my brother i never had. I am grateful for the time i had and all the memories that go along with Stan.
Here is a thought, if you google what is a Karen? the definition is a demanding middle-aged woman along with other things.
The definition of a kind, generous, loving, considerate, compassionate, affectionate, caring, devoted, honorable, respectful, incredible, inspiring, all around great human being ,, is
(Stan Dogil )
"Stan the man" with that unforgettable grin.
Love you Brother.

01/22/2024

Lucien Gerard Houle, 89 died Monday, January 15, 2024 at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire. He was born September 4, 1934 in Victoriaville, Province of Quebec, Canada. He was the son of Emilia Houle Bosse and Wellie Houle. He lived in Lawrence Massachusetts for 5 years then lived in

01/17/2024

Hello everyone, I may not be able to express in words all that should be said about a wonderful father. Lucien Houle past away on Monday January 15th. He is a man that gave me life lessons that at the time may have frustrated me. We have a common bond as mechanics, most people would say he taught me everything about SAAB's, but the truth is Dad had me learn from my mistakes, and i made plenty of mistakes, Dad taught me to learn on my own, pay attention to what I'm doing, but i always felt that i could lean on him when i struggled with something. Dad would show me once and then he expected me to learn from that. Dad would tell me "someone made it so you can fix it " Dad would always remind me he never finished 8th grade, and so Dad just expected me to know better. I worked for Dad from 1978 to 1990. I struggled to please him, customers were usually satisfied with my services, but it was never clear to me if i made my father proud. It wasn't until i had my own business that i was informed from numerous clients and people Dad had lunch or breakfast with, (which we all know Dad never missed breakfast or lunch) these people would express to me how much Dad would talk about all my accomplishments while i worked for him. I look back now and realize Dad had his own way of expressing how proud he was with me. Maybe back then i was selfish or felt i had earned it and needed to hear from Dad that he was proud of me. I only recently realized that Dad may have been hard on me or expected more of me Only because he wanted me to be better than him. I wish i felt this way when i was younger.
My sisters Christine, Nancy and Diane are comforting our Mother as i write this, they need prayers and most of all if my Mom can be in your thoughts and Prayers as Mom finds the strength to move forward with only Dad's spirit at hand. We all miss him, i will miss the phone calls of Dad asking for advise on a car he was working on, the phone calls were sometimes inconvenient for me, but i always would try and satisfy his questions, i only wish i took more time to just talk with Dad. Many of us thought Dad would live to 100, and Dad said so to. I will miss that firm grip of a hand shake he greeted everyone with.
Please have my family in your thoughts and prayers. I realize this is long winded, thank you for taking the time to read this about a man that did not finish high school, but yet had successful business, never did wrong to anyone, determined to make anything work again, provided for our family, thought me values that i now understand, A man i am proud to call my Father, a man that i may not have always agreed with , but a man i always looked up to.
I love you Dad, may you rest with no more knee pains. You may not be able to call on me, but i will always call on you.

10/27/2022

I have a question to every vehicle owner, it has been brought to my attention recently the number of repair shops that have shut down. Most of them it was time too retire, and or they just sold at due to the market was right to do so. What this means is i now have had numerous new clients calling on me to service their vehicle. This is great for me, but i have noticed that with all these new clients that have vehicles older than 5 years old, i have had a long list of repairs or over due services. I will not intentionally bad mouth other repair facilities, or say vehicle owners have their heads in the sand. But i find this to be a difficult situation for me to be in. I tell the new client my first objective working on their car for the first time is to do a vehicle multi point inspection, regardless who has maintained their vehicle. Most of the the clients with these older vehicles needed hundreds, and a thousand dollars worth of work, whether it is repairs or just maintenance or both. I wonder when i explain the extensive repairs or lack of maintenance their vehicle needs if these new clients question me objective or question the trust they put in their previous mechanic. Or are the previous shops performing the bare minimum repairs and easy money making services or maybe they know the clients would rather not know all the issues that should be corrected or serviced. I don't want to say anything to discredit other shops, but also i wonder if most people would rather not know all that should be done to keep a good ,safe, reliable vehicle on the road.?? I on the other hand, I just want to do my job, and that is to inform people of the services that are needed and or required to have a safe and reliable vehicle. The old saying goes, YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER, YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM DRINK IT.

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09/20/2022

Hi everyone, it has been a long time since i have posted anything, looks like since 2020, Like for many, time seems to have been slipping pass quickly, and hopping things will change for the better. Well, currently the way things are, maybe the new norm. We cannot expect things to get better by just sitting and complaining. I know the cost of living has burdened most of us and the lack of production of just about every consumer product here in the U.S. seems to enable price increase for such items. With the lack of automobile inventory, for many of us your current vehicle should be considered as investment. If your maintenance and minor repairs do not exceed that of a car payment per month, it is worth holding onto such vehicle as long as it is safe and reliable.
Having an experienced technician maintain your car is very beneficial. I explain to all my clients what my goal is when servicing your vehicle. First i remind most people that i work for you, ( how many shop owners will say that? ) your walking into my shop hiring me to do service for you. Second, listening to the customer is the most important information to proceed with what concerns the client has. Third, diagnosing and evaluating the vehicle , to make sure concerns can be corrected efficiently and affordably ,while keeping in mind the safety and reliability and integrity of the vehicle are retained. Forth, when clients pay for the service rendered, they will know exactly what was performed . Maintaining your current vehicle will increase fuel mileage, run cleaner , and be more reliable which should give clients confidence in what they drive. Eventually car dealer inventory will increase, and when their lots are full of new cars , new car prices will eventually be more affordable. But for now, maintaining your vehicle properly is helping many small businesses and your helping to reduce fuel consumption and reduce pollutants from the exhaust . If we all try just a little, it will make a better future for everyone. WE all should be concerned what we do to the environment. Stop driving with the check engine light on, or any other warning indictor light on the dash, they are there for your safety, get your vehicle in to your mechanic and have them evaluate your vehicle.

06/24/2022

09/10/2020

Many have asked about question 1 on the ballot in November. Some TV ads refer to the question 1 as a means for mechanics to access personal information and use the info in a unlawful way. Well I'm not saying their wrong, but when clients come to me for service they know me and they trust I keep any personal information safe. How many clients know the mechanic working on their car at a dealership? They could be the same people opposers are questioning. Please vote YES! It is not just about personal information, it is allowing consumers the right to choose the shop they trust. By voting YES you allow your trusted mechanic access to important information needed to provide proper care for your vehicle. VOTE YES question 1.

10/24/2019

Good morning everyone, it has been a while since i have posted .I hope you all enjoyed the summer. My girl friend is going in for surgery next week, i ask for prayers that she may be cured of the nasty disease of Cancer. Like most that that get treatment for Cancer, it is a long recovery process. my prayers go out to all of those that are dealing with Cancer , but most of all to the ones that are dear to me. I posted because i will be taking time in and out of the shop to be with the one person that has made me a better person and that completes ME. I will be in and out of the shop randomly, so please do not hesitate to check in if you need assistance. While Suzanne is in recovery and i am feeling helpless it is comforting to know the one place i a not helpless is at the shop. Besides winter is on it's way and your vehicle must be in need of something! Or just stop in to say Hi, i may need the distraction. On a serious note: at the very least Lets pray for those dealing with this disease. Thanks for Reading, i hope everyone is looking forward to the holiday seasons.
Your auto technician/ mechanic Reggie Houle

08/17/2019

04/12/2019

Parents have said life was rough growing up when they had to walk to school in 2 feet of snow up hill both ways!
What other sayings like these have been heard growing up?

04/12/2019

I have been told my posts are lengthy, I guess i have a lot to say. It just irritates me to no end that i hear of people paying for repairs or services to their vehicle that make no sense to me. Maybe because i am in the automotive service business and what people paid for had nothing to do with their concern and or people feel better knowing they just paid for a new part , even if it doesn't fix the problem.
It pays to know who is servicing your vehicle, and have the confidence the service provided was money well spent.