PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Saturday, August 22, 2026; Rick Dambrosio’s retirement and farewell to Damper’s Automotive, 7981 Lorain Avenue: Rick and his wife Donna Dambrosio with Damper’s Automotive’s oldest customer Dorothy Collier. Collier, a resident of Tillman Avenue says she would buy gas from the business in the 70s when it sold gas on Detroit Avenue. Since 1988 when her husband died, Collier says she has taken her car in for service with the Dambrosio family business. Rick started pumping gas for customers at the Detroit Avenue and W. 45^th location as a teenager. Rick Dambrosio retired and closed the family business that has served the Near West Side for 74 years.

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Saturday, August 22, 2026; Rick Dambrosio’s retirement and farewell to Damper’s Automotive, 7981 Lorain Avenue: Family, friends and customers gather to show their fondness for Rick Dambrosio upon his retirement.

by Chuck Ackerman

   (Plain Press September 2026) About one hundred customers, family members and friends gathered on August 22^nd at Damper’s Automotive at W. 80^th and Lorain Avenue to say farewell to Rick Dambrosio upon his retirement and to bid farewell to Damper’s Automotive, a business whose roots on the Near West Side go back 74 years.

   In 1952, Rick Dambrosio’s dad, Joe Dambrosio, opened his first Sohio Gas Station at West 65^th and Denison Avenue. Three years later he moved to West 45^th and Detroit Avenue.

   Rick began working at his dad’s gas station at the age of 14. In 1991, Rick took over Damper’s British Petroleum (BP). In 2002, Rick moved to the current location at 7981 Lorain Avenue, reopening as Damper’s Automotive.

   During Rick’s career, he has won many awards because of his dedication to serving customers and the community. He has seen generations of families become valued customers. The people will be what Rick misses most in his retirement. It has been an honor for Rick to carry on the family’s business for all these years.