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Gary Simnacher holds the plaque from Fareway CEO Fred Greiner.

A gold watch.

A crystal clock with the familiar shield.

A custom-made fishing rod.

These are among the gifts that Gary Simnacher received this morning at the Fareway store for which he worked 50 years.

Gary went to work at the first Vinton Fareway store (located in what is now the Barnes Furniture store) on July 20, 1962. He remained with the company for the next half-century, working in two more buildings with hundreds of people.

Gary’s family and friends joined store colleagues and management, including CEO Fred Greiner, for a reception at the store Friday morning. Gary’s wife, Loretta, along with their children and grandchildren, were among the audience.

“I look forward to using this real soon,” Gary said when Vinton Fareway Manager Dave Kelchen presented him with the fishing rod, a gift from the Vinton store employees.

Greiner praised Gary for “doing a terrific job with a tremendous attitude.”

Also present was former Vinton store employee Ron Besler, who also has worked for the company for 50 years. He worked in the Vinton store from 1970 to 1977, and now works in the corporate headquarters in Boone.


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Comments (7)

Thank Gary for serving us at the Vinton store all these years. Enjoy, and try to wear out your new fishing rod. (Leave your new watch at home!) May your feet, legs and knees never hurt again.
By: Thomas Pingenot on July 20th 1:16pm
Congratulations Gary! Enjoy your much deserved retirement. I'd hoped you get that gold watch :-)
By: Mary Fisher on July 20th 2:05pm
Best of luck to Gary as he leaves the store!He was always welcoming and friendly to everyone who walked in to Fareway and I always enjoyed talking to him!
By: R. Moore on July 20th 3:09pm
Thanks, Gary for always being there and always ready to pick out a good watermelon.
By: ROSE HANSEN on July 20th 5:23pm
Congrats Gary. I worked with you in the mid 80's and always enjoyed my time at Fareway. Enjoy your free time
By: Todd Cosgrove on July 20th 7:34pm
Good luck in retirement Gary! I worked with you for my first job, and I enjoyed every bit of it. My family and i will miss you. Fareway won't be the same without you!
By: Drew Sallee on July 21st 2:18pm
Hi gary, so sorry I missed your party. Thanks for all the fun times that we had working together. I am so happy for you and Loretta. You will be greatly missed. It will not be the same without you there.
By: Carole Rick on July 21st 6:40pm

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