REMEMBERING RANDY
Randall “Randy” Sarchuk, automotive painter and former paint rep for Reineking Paint and Color Compass, died March 12, 2022. He was 61 years old.
Randy was a longtime member of the automotive aftermarket and a familiar face to collision repairers in Saskatchewan. He first stepped into the industry after completing grade 10, working as an autobody painter, and later went on to represent Reineking Paint in Regina. He eventually grew to become the company’s Saskatchewan Sales Manager.
“We hired Randy in 1985,” said Ton and Koos Reineking. “We were quite apprehensive if this quiet, reserved Saskatchewan farm boy could support the growth needed in our Regina Market. “Randy proved us all wrong. He kept increasing his knowledge of customer service, learning to budget–with Bernice’s help–and gain market share. After a little while, we promoted him to our Saskatchewan Sales Manager, overseeing both the Regina Store and our Saskatoon Store.
“We have many fond memories of Randy, and his commitment to our industry and to his customers was amazing,” concluded the Reinekings.
Bernice Leflar and Gord Milford also left condolences for their friend and colleague.
“Randy came from the trade with a lot of painting experience, which made him a hands-on leader,” wrote Leflar and Milford. “He was an industry leader for decades. He loved to read books–not just technical sheets. He was honest, sincere, persistent, a leader, loyal and treated everyone fairly. He left us too early…”
Tom Bissonnette, who currently serves as the director for the Saskatchewan Association of Automotive Repairers (SAAR) and Don Swick of PPG Canada also shared memories of their friend. “I first met Randy when I worked at Dodge City Auto,” said Bissonnette. “He was perhaps one of the most consistent paint suppliers I have ever worked with. I will remember this man as one of the key building blocks of any success I have ever had in the collision repair industry. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Randy most recently worked with Color Compass until his retirement in May 2021.
