Bruce Simms taught his stepchildren well. A mechanic and longtime owner of A1 Automotive in Evans City, Simms had his three stepchildren work with him at his garage when they were younger.

Simms, 66, died Tuesday, July 18, when he was pinned under a tractor he was using at his Jackson Township home.

“He's an awesome guy,” said stepdaughter Amber Delprete, of Evans City. “My biological father left when I was young. (Simms) took on three kids and played the father role for us.”

She said Simms taught her and her sister and brother the value of hard work by having them with him at his garage.

“I started at A1 when I was 6: ‘A1 Auto. This is Amber, how can I help you?’” Amber said.

When she was old enough to buy her first car, she said Simms found a way to make her appreciate it. He had her sand the car by hand instead of using his air-powered tools to prepare it for a paint job.

“Those are the kind of values I have,” she said. “You have to work hard to appreciate things. He was always willing to help, but he added a life lesson. He believed in giving a hand up, not a hand out.”

She said Simms worked on her friends’ cars and would help anybody who needed a hand.

“His famous saying was, ‘I’m not in business to make money. I’m in business to make friends,’” she said.

Her mother, Marcia, and Simms remained friends after their divorce, she said.

Health reasons forced Simms to sell the business about 20 years ago, but he kept working on cars for family and friends and used his flatbed truck haul the cars when needed.

“He couldn’t just walk away from it, but he couldn’t run the business because of his diabetes,” she said.

Amber’s brother, James Delprete, used the lessons Simms imparted to open J & J Enterprise Concrete in Evans City.

“I was working in that garage as far back as I can remember,” he said. “I learned a lot. I’ve had a successful business for 22 years now. I give most of the credit to him for the hard work ethic he instilled in me as a youngster.

“He helped me become the man I am today for sure. We had our ups and downs, but I’m very grateful for the work ethic he instilled in me.”

The Evans City resident said he continued to rely on Simms for advice, assurance and help after opening his business.

When a piece of machinery would break, Simms was the first person James Delprete would call.

“He'd be my first call, and he’d come right over and figure the problem out,” he said.

He'll miss being able to call on Simms for guidance.

“He was always reassuring me that I had what it takes and to keep on keeping on,” he said.