In 1959 Seamus Gavney left Monaghan, Ireland, trained as an auto mechanic, immigrated to New York where he married Marie. She was originally from Cavan, Ireland. They began their family, which in time would produce six sons.

In 1967, when Gary, the fourth of the six boys was two and a half, the Gavney family moved to 40^th Avenue in San Francisco and Seamus started Emerald Auto, named after the greenery of his homeland.

Seamus trained four of his six sons the auto mechanic trade and today, two of his sons; Gary and Jim carry Emerald Auto forward.

I wonder about the joys of this business.

“My Dad started it and we’re still doing it. He’s proud. My Dad gets a kick out of it!”

The challenges?

“Parking. We are usually working on double the amount of cars that we have space for.”

This is why Gary, Jim, or one of their employees finish the repair, then wander the neighborhood for a parking spot until the owner's can pick up their car. I’ve discovered streets I didn’t know were here when I picked up my car one afternoon, Lurline Street, for example.

I thought I might take Gary for coffee or lunch close to the garage but the garage is so busy this foggy Friday morning in August, Gary opts to conduct the interview in a Toyota Forerunner that’s next up for repair. To the side of this SUV, is a canary yellow 1949 Chevrolet pick-up truck awaiting a routine maintenance check.One N Judah heads to the beach, while another N Judah stops on the corner and heads downtown.

Gary was one of six brothers; I was one one of six sisters, so I’m curious about our differences and similarities. A house full of boys is a lot different than a house full of girls, just in towels and socks. We share a religion, Gary and his brothers attended Holy Name, and Gary and his brothers Gerard, Jim and Kevin were Altar Boys.

I had Sister Charlene and her metal ruler, slammed against my knuckles, Gary fondly remembers his favorite nun.

“Sister Mary Ellen, she was so nice.”

We were both brought up with a diet of meat and potatoes. I wonder if the potatoes were served nightly every which way.

“No mostly mashed.”

Ditto.

Marie and Seamus have a lot to be proud of. Their two sons keep Emerald Auto the neighborhood repair shop Seamus designed; friendly, honest and competent.

Their four other sons display their gifts and talents: Gerard/ Chef, Kevin/ Beer distributor, Mike/ Carpenter and Pete/ Plumber.

I ask Gary his proudest accomplishment.

“My family. My wife Kathleen, my five year old son Shane and two and a half year old daughter Brook.”

I am so happy that finally there is a girl in the Gavney clan.

Let me leave you with this Irish saying.

“May the luck of the Irish

Lead to happiest heights

And the highway you travel

Be lined with green lights.”

NEXT WEEK: LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO ANTONIO, WAITER, BISTRO 9.