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Insights > The Rubber Met the Road for Thomas Roque at a Local Tire and Auto Repair Shop
The Rubber Met the Road for Thomas Roque at a Local Tire and Auto Repair Shop
06/17/2019
It’s not every day a salesman buys someone a new pair of tires. But that’s exactly what Thomas Roque, a lighting salesman for Entergy in Louisiana, recently did for an elderly woman who couldn’t afford the estimate a local tire and auto repair shop in Metairie provided her.
Thomas was in line at the shop when an employee quoted the woman more than $100 to replace two tires.
“It was as if her legs buckled,” said Thomas, who describes himself as an avid Catholic and ol’ country boy from Cane River, Louisiana.
Although Thomas’ grandmother Marie passed away eight years ago, her goodwill and desire to help others remains an inspiration to him today.
“She often told me, ‘The Good Samaritan acts will always get you to heaven.’” Thomas said. “As soon as the woman said she didn’t have the money, my grandmother touched me on the left shoulder and that was it — I paid for those tires.”
In disbelief, the woman fell into his arms crying “tears of joy.”
“It really was a touching moment,” said Thomas.
In fact, the event had an effect on others at the shop that day. Kim Legaux, of Metairie, took to Facebook to tell us about the moment someone “paid it forward.”
“This is an example of how living the shared values that we often espouse at Entergy can have a lasting impact on someone else’s life,” said Al Galindo, Entergy Louisiana sales lighting manager. “Whether it’s a financial contribution or simply spending quality time with someone in need, Thomas’ story serves as a reminder that supporting our friends and neighbors is part of who we are. We are truly lucky to have him on our team.”
Thomas and his wife Anna have two children, Sydney and Thomas Roque III. They also have a third child on the way that they’ve named Jacob.
