The Story of Erick Garage Aruba
Jacinto "Chinto" Werleman was born on September 11, 1930, at Santa Cruz, Aruba, into a large family of eight children, where he was the eldest son.
After completing the 10th grade, he began working at the Lago Oil Refinery at the age of 19. Although Chinto was an accomplished athlete with a passion for long-distance running and football, his greatest passion was repairing cars.
In his younger years, he also participated in underground street races in Barcadera. After finishing a day's work at Lago, if he wasn't training, you could always find him under the watapana tree in front of his home in Siribana, working on cars.
When Lago closed in 1985, Chinto—a hardworking man with a strong entrepreneurial spirit—was faced with an uncertain future. He decided to start his own garage at home, where he repaired and painted vehicles. His brother, Diego, would help him whenever large jobs came in. Over the years, countless cars passed through his hands.
In 2011, Chinto suffered a stroke, which prevented him from continuing his work. Not long afterward, he passed away.
Following his passing, the garage remained closed for several years and was used only as a place to park vehicles.
In 2018, Gabriel Erick Hurtado Trompiz came into contact with Mildred Werleman, Chinto's daughter, and asked if he could use the garage. With her permission, Gabriel gradually began repairing cars in the very same workshop.
Originally from Venezuela, Gabriel studied at the Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda Industrial Technical School, where he developed his technical knowledge and lifelong passion for automotive mechanics.
Through his dedication, patience, and commitment to quality workmanship, Gabriel earned the trust of many customers and built a reputation as a skilled and reliable mechanic.
Today, Erick Garage has space to service six cars at a time. Together with Mildred Werleman, Gabriel continues to build upon the legacy left behind by Jacinto "Chinto" Werleman.
Erick Garage Aruba stands as a symbol of tradition, dedication, and a passion for automotive repair—keeping the dream alive across several generations.