Half a century has gone by with Pat Sime at Tom’s

By Ginna Young

It was 1970, when Pat Sime went to work for Tom Smith in Cornell, at what was then Tom’s Chevrolet and what is now Tom’s Sales & Service. Pat started out as a mechanic and in part-time sales, but eventually, he became the owner of the business.

Pat grew up on a dairy farm 12 miles from Cornell, and attended the Huron Country School, until he came to the Cornell High School in eighth grade.

“There were more kids in my eighth-grade class in Cornell, than our whole school was,” said Pat. “It was a big change.”

In the rural area where Pat grew up on County Hwy. G, there used to be a store, a dance hall and a bar. Because there were 12 kids in the family – eight boys and four girls – Pat’s family didn’t have much money or many conveniences.

“It made me stronger,” said Pat.

After Pat graduated, he decided he didn’t care for farming and went to a big city to work, but didn’t like it much. While he was there, he was drafted into the United States military in 1967. Pat first went to Kentucky, then Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

“And then I went to Vietnam,” said Pat.

During his time there from 1968-69, he served in the 6th Battalion, providing artillery support for the 101st Airborne.

“It wasn’t fun,” said Pat.

Pat made it back from Vietnam as a sergeant, carrying with him a Bronze Star.

“I did it right,” said Pat.

It seems as though most of the important things in Pat’s life happened in October, as that was the month he was drafted, went to Vietnam, came home from Vietnam, was hired at Tom’s and married his wife of 47 years, Ann. He can add another accolade to that list, as he celebrates his 50 years with the company.

Pat bought the business in 1988, from his good friend and mentor, Tom, keeping the name as Tom’s Chevrolet, until GM ended the dealership, and the name was changed to Tom’s Sales & Service. Through the sale, Tom even helped Pat with the financing side of the transition.

“He was one of the greatest guys I ever knew,” said Pat, adding that they did a lot of family things together. “And his wife, Catherine, was just as nice as he was.”

In the sale, the busing business for the Cornell School District, came with it. There are now five routes and seven drivers, who Pat says he couldn’t do without. Sometimes, Pat even hops on the bus and drives, but he refuses to do towing any longer and leaves that to someone else.

“At 73 years old, I don’t want to do it,” he said, laughing.

Pat says the car business has changed a lot over the years, also works in the office, along with Abby Klein, who originally manned the full-service gas pumps, before those were discontinued several years ago.

“It’s been a good business, Cornell’s been great to me,” said Pat. “I’ve met and talked to thousands and thousands of friends, and I have a great line of customers. I’m just very blessed with being in this town. People are good to me.”

Because the community has been so kind to him, Pat and Ann make sure to support local businesses, and donate when there is a need, especially for those who have cancer.

Although he has now stepped back somewhat, Pat still comes in to the shop every day, and likes having five or six “old timers” in for coffee weekday mornings. The Coffee Club was started in honor of Bill Howard, when he was getting on in years, where the “guys” sample baked goods made by Pat and Ann.

“When he (Bill) passed on, we still kept it going,” said Pat.

For anyone who’s been in Tom’s, it’s clear you are more than a customer and are treated like an honored guest, with treats, coffee and water offered. If they want, people can also take a peek at the 170-some model cars Pat has collected since the 1990s.

They’re not for playing with, but Pat says he has given about five away to children who really love them.

“Someday, my grandson will inherit them,” said Pat.

Pat also collects Ford tractors – with 13 the current number – including his dad’s old red tractor that Pat drives in parades.

“I fix ’em up,” said Pat.

He also does a lot of deer hunting and ice fishing, making food plots on the land he owns in the country.

“I kind of got the farm blood in me,” said Pat.

His biggest joy, however, is his family. With three grown children and six grandchildren all living with miles of him, and at his and Ann’s house regularly, Pat’s life is continually full.

“They’re the pride of my life,” said Pat. “They’re nice kids and I got one of the greatest families in the world. I’m very proud of them.”

One of Pat Sime’s favorite pictures, is the one of him (right) with his friend/ former employer, Tom Smith, who gave him a start at Tom’s Chevrolet. The two and their families were very close, and did a lot of things together.

as people used to trade in for $1,000 on a new car.

“Now, it’s a lot more than that,” said Pat.

Dealing with the service side of things, Pat says the business has a good reputation, and even serves customers who drive from Catawba and Eau Claire for an oil change. He has no trouble keeping long-time workers, as they are “family,” which is especially true for service and sales members, Eric and Joe, Pat’s sons.

Also on the service floor, are Dan Kadlec and Terry Hakes, who both serve on the Cornell Fire Department.

Pat’s daughter, Allison, also works in the office, along with Abby Klein, who originally manned the full-service gas pumps, before those were discontinued several years ago.

“It’s been a good business, Cornell’s been great to me,” said Pat. “I’ve met and talked to thousands and thousands of friends, and I have a great line of customers. I’m just very blessed with being in this town. People are good to me.”

Because the community has been so kind to him, Pat and Ann make sure to support local businesses, and donate when there is a need, especially for those who have cancer.

Although he has now stepped back somewhat, Pat still comes in to the shop every day, and likes having five or six “old timers” in for coffee weekday mornings. The Coffee Club was started in honor of Bill Howard, when he was getting on in years, where the “guys” sample baked goods made by Pat and Ann. “When he (Bill) passed on, we still kept it going,” said Pat.

For anyone who’s been in Tom’s, it’s clear you are more than a customer and are treated like an honored guest, with treats, coffee and water offered. If they want, people can also take a peek at the 170-some model cars Pat has collected since the 1990s.

They’re not for playing with, but Pat says he has given about five away to children who really love them. “Someday, my grandson will inherit them,” said Pat.

Pat also collects Ford tractors – with 13 the current number – including his dad’s old red tractor that Pat drives in parades.

“I fix ’em up,” said Pat.

He also does a lot of deer hunting and ice fishing, making food plots on the land he owns in the country. “I kind of got the farm blood in me,” said Pat.

His biggest joy, however, is his family. With three grown children and six grandchildren all living with miles of him, and at his and Ann’s house regularly, Pat’s life is continually full.

“They’re the pride of my life,” said Pat. “They’re nice kids and I got one of the greatest families in the world. I’m very proud of them.”

Cutline: Pat Sime’s greatest joy and pride, is his family, which a recent picture shows. The family, left to right, are Brooke, Sara, Eric, Audrey and Calvin Sime; Lily, Will, Allison and Hadley Petska; Pat and Ann Sime; and Lauryn, Joe and Nicole Sime. Photo by A Thousand Words Photography

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="366"] Pat Sime can often be found in his office, surrounded by his model cars he collects, and like as not, there’s a smile on his face as he looks at pictures of his grandkids on the walls. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="241"] One of Pat Sime’s favorite pictures, is the one of him (right) with his friend/ former employer, Tom Smith, who gave him a start at Tom’s Chevrolet. The two and their families were very close, and did a lot of things together. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]