GARY THORN
How did you get started?
My deceased-ex wife got me into flowers. Before that I was a contractor, painting, sandblasting, and waterproofing out of San Mateo. That’s where I was born and raised.
How does this bring you fulfillment in comparison to the contractor job?
Less competition, because when I was painting, unless they knew your work they want you over a period years. If they take in random bids, you might be higher more likely, but they don’t understand the work they’re going to get and they’ll just go by the lowest bid. I’ve had people say they would get 8 bids, and I would say goodbye. My deceased-ex wife was in the business, she wanted me to get involved and it was a better way for me to leave my business. It was more relaxing because of the income without the fighting. For example not getting paid because a door wasn’t painted right, something needed touching up, or something else happened.
Would you say that the reaction to flowers was more satisfying compared to a reaction to your paint job?
I’ve done Victorian homes and high rises. Flowers isn’t my passion, I do the best I can to make things work.
What is your passion?
I’ll tell you what’s fun, parasailing. If I could’ve at the time in 2000 I would’ve went parasailing out in the bay, it would be a nice attraction for San Francisco similar to Alcatraz. I’m 65 now and it’s a lot to do and deal with. I’m going to be 70 in 4 1/2 years, it’s a lot to deal with out in the bay with the freighters, the people, the liability, and the city.
What was the proudest moment of your career?
I used to have 5 shops, 15 to 16 Longs. When it comes to my business I’ve persevered.
What’s something you would want to share to a younger audience or even your younger self?
I don’t want to be mean, but common sense. It’s so important it’s going to help you go further in life.
Who are you?
When it comes to helping people out, I will do jump, crawl, bend, do anything to help. A long time ago I got stuck, way far away, and some people came by and they got me back home. Back in those days I was up Redding to pick up a bike for $1500, the bike blew up 250-300 miles away, no tow truck, no cell phone, with this was when I was 19 years old. Some people came by, I paid them, and they brought me all the way back home. So anyway, I know if someone is stuck in a jam I will always be there if I can be there.
What is something difficult that you’ve been through?
It was 07’ 08’ one Saturday morning I was watching movies and half my body was numb. A couple years later I finally figure out I have multiple sclerosis. But I did what I needed to do to get through it. I have it and I’m not bad, but I know other people have worse things. And then come December, I learned I had cancer. It was related to melanoma, 1 of 130,000. Everything was pulled together during the last moment to get surgery, and I’m going for my follow up cat scan. It’s a rare serious cancer called merkel. So anyways you just have to keep pursuing life on. Get up, get to work, get busy, and there’s tomorrow and the next day. The multiple sclerosis, cancer, and surgeries in the past 4 to 5 years, you just got to keep rolling along. I feel like I’ve had a very nice life, and I’ve done and been to more places that most people have. Don’t feel sorry for yourself and just keep rolling along.
How long have you been out here on the Embarcadero?
I’ve been coming here since the previous Mother’s Day, now I’m needed here. People come here to get flowers from me. I feel tied to the community, except if it’s going to be a hot barnburner or if it’s raining then I won’t show up, but that’s understandable. No matter how I feel, if I’m not feel well I’ll still show. Maybe I’m not feeling good, but you get through the day and later on everything’s okay.