THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603260148
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
It sounds like a mutual admiration society over at Bayside Exxon. The employees like the boss and the boss likes the employees. The staffers are quick to tell folks they work for a ``super nice guy.''
Gee Faison, that guy they're talking about, says his business is a success because ``I've surrounded myself with good people.''
Thirteen years ago, Faison went from selling Campbell soups to owning a service station. ``I've learned a lot about cars over the last 13 years,'' added the Chesapeake Beach resident.
Even if you don't need a fill up or an oil change in the next few days, you can stop by and say happy birthday or play a prank on Faison. He'll turn 48 on April Fools' Day.
Full name: Charles Gee Faison Jr.
Hometown: Virginia Beach. Born in Portsmouth and moved to Chesapeake Beach in 1948.
What brought you to the Beach? An Auburn (no kidding) with my parents, two sisters and two brothers (Noel came as a surprise six years later).
Birthdate: April Fools' Day 1948.
Occupation: Owner Bayside Exxon. ``The cradle of Southern hospitality, where your satisfaction is our greatest asset.''
Nickname: Gee Man, Dick, Leroy, Trumba.
Marital status: Married to Celeste 24 years this month and counting.
Children: Trey, 20, and Lauren, 12.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Every day is a holiday at Bayside Exxon.
Last smart thing you did: Apologized to several people I respect for an unwarranted display of temper.
Last dumb thing you did: Snacked on some tainted Doritos left by my daughter, Lauren, and niece, Bridgett. Pay backs can be bad, girls.
Favorite meal: Everything my wife cooks - or doesn't cook.
Favorite movies: ``Silver Streak,'' ``Top Gun,'' ``A Fish Called Wanda,'' ``Risky Business,'' ``Pulp Fiction'' and Hurrah Players' first production of ``Starmites.''
Favorite song: ``Shout'' by the Isley Brothers.
Last book read: ``Beach Music,'' ``The Juror,'' ``Dark Rivers of the Heart.''
Hobbies: Family, friends and golf.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? No one has ever accused me of being the best or the brightest, but I've always been comfortable with myself.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Celeste and I are different in many ways, but we mesh. I believe the differences keep it interesting. I'll leave her as she is.
Secret vice: Ice cream and very very cold Absolut martinis with a big plump olive.
Favorite restaurant: We eat out often enough to make this declaration: We could eat out every night at a different restaurant and never leave Chesapeake Beach, Pleasure House Road or Shore Drive on the west side of Lynnhaven bridge. The quality and variety of the food in South Hampton Roads is on par or superior to anything found on the East Coast. Our favorite is wherever we happen to be going that night.
Your favorite night on the town: New York, dinner and play, late night cabaret or comedy club.
Favorite sport: Golf.
Last vacation: Short trip to Freeport in the Bahamas. Leaving soon with Jimmy and Noel to visit Bobby in Florida for a brothers' weekend.
Pets: Paco Rodrigues Day Faison - ``The dog of many families.''
Worst job: Any job you don't look forward to.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Aside from my marriage and my children, I am most proud to run a service station where gas stations are the rule.
What would you like as your epitaph? Just burn me and spread my ashes on the sand known as Chesapeake Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB