TOM NEMET

NEMET--Tom, who died on July 4, 2010, lived the American Dream. He built a successful car dealership, he helped defeat proposed legislation that would have crippled the imported auto industry, and he enjoyed a full life with his immediate and extended family. To these three passions that animated his life, he brought grace and dignity. Founded nearly a century ago, Nemet Motors developed under Tom's leadership to become The Nemet Auto Group. Tom had a simple philosophy for selling cars: Treat your customers with respect, give them a good deal, and stand by them when in need. He served over 11,000 customers a year, but never let a day go by without thinking about how he could continue to grow the business. He knew that the Nation's Capital could have a profound impact, for good and for bad, in the life of a dealer. He lobbied Presidents, Senators, and Representatives, always sharing the same message: Because competition is the lifeblood of the nation, the best laws and regulations must be built on the foundation of free trade. In making the case for his industry, he never failed to remind politicians that his business was built around the porters, the mechanics, the sales personnel, and the others in the dealership whose livelihood depended on his ability to compete fairly. He founded Auto Dealers and Drivers for Free Trade as a means of providing financial support to Members of Congress who shared his vision. In the early years, before Honda, Nissan, and Toyota were household names, Tom worked with others in the industry to block proposed legislation and regulations that would have kept lower-priced cars and trucks beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. He fought hard as well to make sure that banks and other lenders would offer reasonable credit terms, so that a car or a truck would never be beyond the reach of someone who worked hard every day. But beyond his many accomplishments in building a business and helping the imported auto industry prosper, nothing mattered more in Tom's life than his family. He worked to bring family members into the business or to pursue their own dreams. He was passionate about his extended family as well. Conversations with colleagues never ended without him asking about their sons and daughters, and their jobs, their schoolwork, their aspirations. With his family by his side, Tom Nemet lost an 18-month battle with cancer on Sunday. He is survived by his loving wife Mary, sons Kyle, Todd, Ross and daughter Robyn and son in law Scott, and daughter in law Suzanne. Loving grandfather of Harrison, Jordan, Joshua, Matthew, and Rachel. Funeral to be held Wednesday, July 7th 2010 at 12pm at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapel 114-03 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, New York 11375 (718) 363-7600. Interim to follow at Beth David Cemetery - Elmont Cemetery 300 Elmont road, Elmont, New York 11003.