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Article updated: 10/17/2012 9:18 AM

Des Plaines auto repair shop closing after 56 years

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Ray Gleason stands inside his automotive shop in Des Plaines talking about the early days, holding a picture with himself in the middle, brother Hal on left and Harry, Ray's dad on the right. He is finishing up work on two cars then calling it quits due to the economic hardship of keeping the family business alive after the death of his father and brother.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Ray Gleason stands inside his automotive shop in Des Plaines, where he is finishing up repair work on two cars. The business has been in the family 56 years.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Ray Gleason

Ray Gleason stands outside his automotive shop in Des Plaines.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Ray Gleason stands inside his automotive shop in Des Plaines which he will be closing the door on this chapter of his life due to the economic hardship of keeping the family business alive.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com Ray Gleason stands inside his automotive shop in Des Plaines saying he will be closing the door on this chapter of his life due to the economic hardship of keeping the family business alive after 56 years.

Ray Gleason stands outside his automotive shop in Des Plaines. The business is getting a new owner after being in the family 56 years.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

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Ray Gleason is the last man standing in the family-owned Des Plaines auto repair shop — started by his father and World War II veteran Harry Gleason in 1956 — where he and his brother, Hal, learned to be grease monkeys as teenagers. Now, after 56 years in business, the family is forced to sell Gleason’s Automotive at 173 S. Wolf Road due to economic hardship, said the 60-year-old Gleason Tuesday.