Port Norris Legends

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Joseph Marshall Lore, Sr. (Bud)
Born December 21, 1898
Died July 22,1976
Recognized as a Legend of Port Norris on November 23, 2019

“Bud Lore” Celebrating His Life
Presented by Herb Lore and the Lore Family

Born to Frank B. Lore and Edith Husted Lore December 21, 1898 In Newport NJ.

He Was raised In Newport and attended school there.

He worked on the Family farm and worked in his Father’s Blacksmith shop.

When he was old enough to drive he started a Taxi service which ran from Newport to Fortescue, in the summer. His vehicle was a Curtin Car around Circa 1912. Don’t know the brand. More than likely Ford.

Bud completed an Automobile Mechanic Apprenticeship at the Ford garage in Bridgeton NJ.

During the time of his Apprenticeship, he was frequently seen in Port Norris on his Indian motorcycle. Thats when he met our Mother.

When Bud and Lizzie were dating, he would take her for a ride on the motorcycle. She rode on the handle bars on un-paved roads.

Bud was working for the Ford Garage in Bridgeton when they got married and they lived with his parents in Newport.

When the Ford Garage in Port Norris had an opening for a Mechanic he took it.
Bud and Lizzy moved to Main St. in Port Norris and eventually to an apartment over the Ford garage.

In late 1926 or early 1927, Bud decided he wanted to go out on his own. He purchased some ground on Mauricetown Rd. (Now North Ave) north of town.

None of the Money men in town would float him a loan to build a Garage and Service station. “You will never make it”. “Too far out of town”, was their answer.

George Robbins had faith in him and loaned him the money.

The construction of Buds Place started in 1927 with Bud and two of his brothers, Irvin and Eph Lore.

Buds Place opened in early 1928 as a Full Service Garage and Service Station. No job was too big or too small.

George Robbins told Bud he wouldn’t loan him any more money because he paid it back too fast. Couldn't make anything off of him.

George had all his Automotive work done at the garage.

Bud gave George a box of his favorite Cigars and a Calendar at Christmas every year there after.

Buds Place was a 24/7 business.

His Slogan:
“Whether You Drive Or Whether You Fly Stop At Buds As You Go By”.

Living quarters were build in the back part of the garage. He installed a Push Button at the front of the store, outside, with a sign saying “Press For Service After Hours”. It activated a buzzer in his bedroom. So much for a good nights sleep!
The name was changed to “Buds Garage” shortly after opening.

He started a “Convenience Store” with a snack bar before anyone knew what a Convenience Store was. (Early WaWa). Our Mother played a big part in that.

Bud stemmed the growth of Port Norris on a dirt road North of town.

The success he had (way out of town) soon caught on.

New houses were built on the Mauricetown Rd. and other businesses were started.

Big Nose Frank opened a little grocery store in North Port Norris. He was successful.

Tony Rivera bought Franks place and added gasoline. He was successful there also for many years.

Si Taylor also open a successful Business on Mauricetown Rd.

The great depression took its toll on him and the business. The day the banks went bust, he deposited around $400. The bank president, a relative, knew that the bank had gone broke but took the deposit anyway. That was a lot of money to loose at the time.

When things settled down, he gathered what savings he had and took the family (5 children one of which was a baby) to Florida. His first trip there (1934) . His brother Eph took care of the business for him while the family was gone.
By 1938, the living quarters in the rear of the garage building became too small (Now 6 Children). He bought a double house caddie cornered across the street from the garage and we moved there in 1941.

Buds Garage became the meeting place for young men, of all ages, to brag about their concours and their cars. Many a race up and down the Dividing Creek stretch was staged at the garage. Usually on the weekend.

There was no market for clams, at the time. They were left on the boat decks for those that wanted them. At some point during the weekend, a late night steamed clam feast would take place at Buds Garage.

Sunday, most all the Oyster boat Captains were there bragging about the weeks catch and up staging one another. Got pretty hot at times.

The Memorial Day parade and or the 4th of July parade seen his tow truck with a wreck on the hook many times. That was Buds version of a Float.

Christmas time Bud would dress as Santa Clause and give candy and gifts to all comers (children) at Buds Garage. Nancy recalls weighing the bags of candy to made it equal to all the children.

He belonged to just about every club and Lodge in town and became a lifetime member in most of them (Masonic Lodge, The Red Men, Order of The Eagle, Rotary Club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Shriners and the Grange).
He was a Layman of the Methodist Church for many years. He helped organize bus trips to Phillie and New York to Baseball games, Drove the picnic bus to Mays Landing for Sunday School Picnics. Hymn Sings were big back then, he drove the bus to different churches so that the Methodist Church could participate. Boy did we sing LOUD.

Over the years, he took care of different people that didn't have the means to take care of their-self.

Bud helped several homeless men (called Hobo’s at the time) by providing them with meals and a place to stay in exchange for work..

He was a loving and caring son and brother. On Tuesday he did his banking in Bridgeton. He would stop in Newport, on his way home, to spend time with his Mother and Brother David (David was wheelchair bound for years). Before he left, they both had grocery and expense money for the week.

Another one of his slogans was:
“We will Crank Your Car and Hold Your Baby But We Won’t Give Credit and We Don’t Mean Maybe”.

However, Bud never lived up to this one. He extended credit to Many families in need. Most of it was just written off.

Bartering was also popular. Bud would sometimes take payment in Oysters, Clams, Crabs, Vegetables or what ever he could use.

During the 1930”s and early 40”s, he rented the Colonial Inn on the corner of Delsea Drive and Mauricetown Rd. (North of the WaWa). He managed it for about 15 years and gave it up about the time the Second World War starting.

He was an Air Raid Warden during WW2 and managed the requirements for North Port Norris for blackouts and brownouts.

He prepared cars for night driving and managed Fuel and Food Rationing stamps for the local population.

After long hours at work, he still found time to take us to Woodbine to the movies several nights a week. “He usually slept through the movie”. I can still smell the fresh bread being baked at the bakery next to the Movie House.

He raised Chickens and had a large garden. Made a pen and raised 2 turkeys every year. One for Thanksgiving and the other for Christmas. Boy were they good.

He kept our sister Iva Jean in Horses for many years. Jean would promise to take care of them, but Dad new better and bought the horses anyhow.

I was told that he had Fire Works a few times, for the July 4th celebration, at Buds Garage.

He and our Mother Retired to Florida in 1966 after Owning and Operating Buds Garage for nearly 40 years.

Joseph Marshall (Bud) Lore Sr. and Our mother, Elizabeth Hoffman Lore, together raised 6 children.They were married 57 years before his passing on July 22, 1976. He was 77 years of age.

In Short
“Bud Lore” was A Humanitarian, A Business Man and A Master Automobile Mechanic!

Some of his Traits and Virtues:
He was A pillar of the community
His Work Ethic was Stellar.
A Christian
A Friend to all
A Loving Son
A loving Brother
A Devoted Uncle
He was a Loving and caring Husband, Father and Grandfather

In the end he Didn’t get the recognition he deserved for the people he helped and what he accomplished in his life on Earth.

Today, thanks to the PNHS - Some Of That Changes !

The Lore Family

 

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