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| Mickey Vetere. |
Toronto, Ontario — January 1, 2014
It is with great regret that we must report the passing of Mickey Vetere, co-owner of Dom’s Auto Parts in Courtice, Ont. He passed away peacefully on December 22, 2013 at Toronto East General at the age of 75.
Mickey was the beloved husband of Nancy (Bellisario) for 51 years. Loving father of Dominic (Paula), Andrea (Dave), Tia (David) and Nicole. Proud grandfather of Dustin, Carly, Christian, Chloe, Quinn and Michael. Dear brother of Betty (Gino).
Mickey was a true pioneer and innovator of the automotive recycling industry. He and his father, Dominic Vetere Sr., opened Dom’s Auto Parts in March 1964. They started with just six employees in a small west end yard in Toronto on McCormack Street. Over the years, Mickey saw the business expand, soon opening up a much larger facility in Courtice, Ont. The current facility employs approximately 30 people and processes 1,400 vehicles annually.
He was one of a small handful of visionaries who looked at the auto recycling industry and thought that it could be better than it was. Not just for his own business, but for every facility that wanted to progress and provide superior service for their customers. Mickey, along with like-minded individuals such as Cuppy Katz of Dominion Auto Recycling, Fair Saddy from Corey’s Auto Wreckers, Henry Aumont from Arnprior and Ottawa Auto Parts and others, helped to found CAR, Canada’s first automotive recycling association. This organization served as a predecessor to other associations, such as Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA).
The visitation was held at Marshall’s Funeral Home in Richmond Hill on Friday, December 27. The funeral service was held at St. Davids Parish in Maple on Saturday, December 28.
Donations in Mickey’s honour may be made to the Sunshine Foundation (sunshine.ca) or Grandview Kids (grandviewcc.ca).
