Remembering Charlie

Walking along the wash in Moon Valley with my 2 year old granddaughter 16 years ago, with my binoculars around my neck, I was multitasking – babysitting and birdwatching. A bike rider came around the bend, braked suddenly and asked me what I was looking for? For 15 minutes we chatted about the birds in the area. He introduced himself as Charlie. The next day we met again, said he wanted me to meet his wife, took my email address and we made plans to go birding together.

I would fly from NYC to Phoenix about 5 times/year when the Grands were young and each time he'd close the shop for a day, Debbie would pack the best snacks and we'd go on an adventure. I saw my one and only Prairie Falcon with Charlie due to his incredible eyesight and knowledge of birds.

Sometimes I would ride a bike along the canal trail showing up at his shop surrounded by feral cats and hummingbirds. He and Deb are the only people I know that could make that happen. They cared for those cats as though they owned them feeding them daily and even taking them to the Veterinarian when they became ill. Both Charlie and Debbie had loving caring spirits. They were a true couple.

He was so proud of his cars his tools and the customers he served. Charlie you will be missed by many and Debbie, I send an array of hugs and love to get you through these tough times. — Patricia K.

Charley will be missed, without his expertise Mariann and I would have never enjoyed all the great times with the Alfa club over the last 25 years. Charley was always available to diagnose and fix any issues my 88 Quad was having. A quick in and out of his garage was not an option. There were stories to be told, opinions to be expressed and maybe a trip to his favorite taco stand. The strength and work ethic of Debbie, along with her smile kept Charley and his shop in line. May he rest in peace and may his memory stay with us forever. Our love and prayers to Debbie & Bonnie. — Dave & Mariann Roger

I met Charlie bird watching with my wife Patricia and Deb. But first, Patricia wanted me to see Charlie's shop because I am kind of a car nut although my ownership of great cars is limited to 1/24" scale models. Great shop. Nothing fancy, but everything in its place. He showed me an Alfa with a motor that he had just transplanted. He went on and on with all sorts of specs that bewildered me, but appeared very natural to him. "C'mon, let's take 'er out" he said. I climbed in the passenger seat, and off we went...about 125 MPH on the city streets around his shop. "She's great on the curves" he said as we took a corner at about 90. Funny thing is that I don't remember ever fearing for my life. He was really good in the gear box and tap dancing on the pedals. We ate in a Mexican restaurant with them, and he said to me "Still needs a little work. I'm gonna hate to let her go." — Stephen & Patricia K.

I first met Charlie in 1999 when I acquired a 1992 Spider Veloce (somewhat of a coincidence, I had just wrecked a Mustang, but it just clicked when I saw it for sale in someone's driveway) and was referred to Auto International. What a great shop. Over the years the 1992 was replaced with a 1991 Spider, then a 1989 Spider, and currently a 1987 Spider Veloce. All three of them were referred by Charlie or sold by Charlie.

Oh, all the crazy breakdowns, small and large! The AAA tows! Charlie always came through and with the car being my only and daily driver, put me back on the road quickly (of course with credit to Debi and Bonnie).

Most memorable is probably the time in 2016 when I hydrolocked my 1987 (see photo) and Charlie did a full engine rebuild. The piston was displayed in the shop for some time until they decided to finally let it go home with me. I miss Charlie but also hope there will be a future for Auto International. — Martin M.

Charlie and Debbie helped me with a timing belt for my '94 164 LS. Charlie had a big heart. He did great work. I appreciate his help and I wish those who loved him, especially Debbie, well. — William W.

When I met my wife in 1977, her daily driver was a yellow '72 Fiat 124 Spider. We married in 1979 and kept the car until our first child was born in 1984 (Fiats weren't designed for car seats in the rear). In October 2008, I purchased a 1981 "Champaign" Edition Fiat 124 Spider on ebay. The idea was this would be a Christmas / 30th Wedding Anniversary gift for her. The exterior and body of the Fiat were in great shape, but she needed a thorough mechanical review, a new convertible top and a completely new interior. I couldn't seem to find any Fiat mechanics online, so I called a Virginia-based Fiat parts company (since out of business) and asked if they shipped parts to anyone in Phoenix. The response was Auto International. After a thorough vetting by Charles, he and Debbie agreed to spearhead the project. Long story short, all the upgrades and repairs were completed in time and I presented the car to my wife on Christmas 2008.

I'm no mechanic and don't aspire to be one. Thank goodness, Charles and Debbie took care of my car for the next 13 years. When Bonnie came on board in the later years, she built a new floor board for the trunk of the car. Needing to free up a bay in our garage, I listed the Fiat on Bring a Trailer in early December 2021 and sold it. I had to consult with Charles and Debbie a couple of times to respond to questions during the bidding. I warned Debbie that although I no longer had the car, I would stop by from time to time to visit. They had always been so straight, honest and caring about me and my Italian car.

Charles was a good man, a rare breed, one of kind. He came from a tougher, wilder time. I knew when I dropped off the car at his shop, I would need to allocate a half hour or more to chat, get introduced to a new stray cat they had taken in, see the progress on an Alfa he was rebuilding, talk about his boat or whatever else was on his mind. He will be missed. May God rest his soul. — Paul W.