Let me tell you a bit about Gerry Lisi. A true self made man, and a rennaisance one to boot. One of the finest persons I have ever come to know.
Gerry's dad was an Italian prisoner of war, who survived the death marches from the deserts of Africa to South Africa, where he was shipped to Oxford to serve out the war in a detention center. After a year, he was allowed to work on a local farm, where he tended the sheep and gained the trust of the local villagers. He eventually learned how to thatch the straw roofs around Faringdon, a craft he passed onto young Gerry. For twenty years, father and son worked long hours, and gained a strong reputation, to the point they could command significant sums to thatch a roof, and were in high demand.
In between roofs, Gerry became a mechanic, working hours at the local Austin plant, and learning all about engines. Many years later, after running his own business, he was able to save enough to buy the farm next to where his dad served out his prisoner work-relief. He turned it into a golf course, and successfully ran it.
Gerry's interest in motorcycles stemmed from an early age. The son of the farmer that owned the land his dad worked on as a prisoner, was a successful motocrosser in the 50's, and a young Gerry Lisi learned to ride on the farm. When his thatching business became successful, it allowed Gerry to enjoy motorcycles, and that love ultimately led him to become a customer of Pat French, the prior owner of Metisse. When Pat grew ill with cancer, it was Gerry that kept the Metisse business alive, and who ultimately purchased the assets after French's death.
Oh. And he sings opera, well enough to regularly serenade weddings by request.
You can see why I admire what Gerry's managed to accomplish. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
On the way out of town, Gerry passed his former apprentice who now follows in Gerry's steps, thatching roofs. He was hard at work on a local house.
We headed out to the factory, a short trip away.
Getting closer to town, Gerry veered off the road to show me the church where they film Downten Abbey.
It was still early and town was just starting to stir.
We arrived at the entrance to the factory, and my pulse began to quicken.
