Sam Dagher’s slice of the American pie is at the corner of Chestnut and Main Streets in downtown Andover.
The 55-year-old Lebanese immigrant has owned the busy Gulf station for nearly 20 years. All day long, the smiling, lanky proprietor approaches motorists with this greeting… “Another Day In Paradise”. It’s his motto and comes before more mundane business chatter like “fill’er up?”
The expression is an homage to his adopted country. “ I am the American Dream. I made it happen. I work hard. “ It also reminds people not to grumble—-“The weather is too cold” Or “The coffee is too hot.” Dagher calls them American “Champagne problems.”
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At age 20, Dagher left his war-torn homeland, parents, and two brothers in search of an education. But a degree never came, and he lived for the next 7 years in the back room of a Lowell service station.
He knew nothing about cars. But Dagher knew about hard work. He endured the 18-hour days, seven days a week schedule. His objective? Save money.
“I was an illegal from 1990 to 2000. I learned about mechanics in the meantime,” he said. “And President Clinton had that program if you were a mechanic or plumber, or you had a skill you could apply for a Green Card.”
When asked about the U. S. Government’s current treatment of immigrants, Dagher says, “To me, you have to give people a chance. They’re not giving people a chance right now. Most of the people who come to America come for work, security and to have a normal life.”
Dagher speaks with pride about the life he’s made. He met his wife Bassam in his village of Anfe when she was 13 and he was 15. Their love endured years of separation. “I told her give me a little time and I’ll bring you over,” he said.
Their son Judd just earned a master’s in business from Babson College, and he now works for Morgan Stanley. They live in Woburn.
“I am a simple guy. I work hard. Go home. Walk with my wife, eat and go to bed,” Dagher said.
A one-time player on Lebanon’s National Volleyball team, Dagher moves with energy from car to car and projects a vibe of happiness and gratitude toward his customers. When he bought the station back in 2006 the then owner was pumping 30,000 gallons of gasoline a month. Dagher has built it to 140,000 gallons a month. He credits good service and good pricing with his growth.
One customer volunteered “Sam is the heart of downtown Andover.” As he sits in his small office looking out onto Main Street Sam Dagher’s heart is full.
“I honestly love this town,” he said “The people are nice and friendly. I feel the love.”
Quick Takes With Sam Dagher
1/ Favorite building in Andover?
Old Town Hall, Main Street
2/Favorite vacation spot?
Tampa, Florida
3/ Pats or Sox?
Sox
4/ Hobby?
Volleyball, walking
5/ Favorite Song?
Lady Marmalade, Patti LaBelle
6/ Favorite TV Show?
Seinfeld
7/ Expression You Overuse?
“Another Day In Paradise”
8/ Motto?
“Live honestly”
9/ Hero? My wife Bassam. “She’s basically my life.”
10/ Perfect day?
Every day is a perfect day. You make it.