It Takes Work To Be Lucky Today in Automtive History Nov 4, 2000 Bonus274 NAPODPOMO4
It Takes Work To Be Lucky
Charlie Maxwell, a confidant and longtime employee of Harold Lemay, at a Lakewood Historical Society event, narrated tales of the man behind the Pierce County Refuse Company. From a single garbage truck in 1942, Lemay's empire swelled, becoming Washington's largest trash removal service and the 10th largest nationally. Yet, it was his fixation on vintage cars that brought Harold LeMay true fame.
Like a vine reaching for sunlight, his car collection burgeoned to over 3,000 vehicles, crowning him in the Guinness Book of World Records as the possessor of the largest privately owned automobile collection. When Harold passed in 2000, his wife Nancy and son Doug continued the family business and preserved the car collection while maintaining their annual August open house tradition – an event held at their, as Harold was called it, a three-story home with a 300-car garage.
In 2008, Waste Connections Incorporated bought Pierce County Refuse. Two years later, the Lemay Family Collection Foundation emerged as a non-profit corporation, welcoming visitors to explore its treasures at the former Marymount Military Academy in Spanaway. In June 2012, America's Car Museum sprouted in downtown Tacoma beside the iconic Tacoma Dome.
Harold E. LeMay's love for automobiles transcended all boundaries, capturing stories from countless individuals at his annual car show. His passion propelled him to purchase cars for their historical and cultural significance rather than as investments. He once remarked, "I don't go for just the dollar value of a car. If it's unusual, I like it." Dubbed "Lucky" in his youth, Harold adhered to his mantra: "It takes a lot of hard work to be lucky." And luck indeed followed him as he amassed an unparalleled collection.
Lucky's Garage stands as a tribute to Harold E. LeMay – an enduring exhibit at America's Car Museum. Meanwhile, the LeMay Family Collection at the Marymount Event Center continues to showcase over 500 vintage vehicles, primarily American-made cars, trucks, buses, fire engines, and motorcycles. This ever-growing collection, which began with Harold and Nancy LeMay, remains an emblem of their enduring legacy.
Unfortunately, Harold passed away on this day in 2000.
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