This longtime Windsor mechanic had been retired for just 2 days. Then he was rushed to hospital

It was far from the first days of retirement Glenn Willis and his family had been hoping for.The longtime South Windsor mechanic and owner of Willis Service Centreofficially celebrated his retirement in late Julyafter 34 years in business.

But just two days later, he was being rushed to the hospital, where he remains slowly butsurely working to recover.

"That's what's tough. Here, he's supposed to retire and enjoy his life. And this is a big bump in the road right now. So we're hoping that everything turns out OK," said Gerry Jobin, Willis' best friend of decades, noting how much Glenn loves the community of South Windsor.

The news of his illness has been shared across social media, prompting hundreds of comments and well-wishes for his speedy recovery.

Jobin says Willis, 63,officially closed the doors of Willis Service Centre, formerly located at Howard and Cabana, with a community gathering and barbecue on July 27.

Expecting a few good friends to trickle in, Jobin says they were shocked the parking lot was full of friends and former customers, with many other Windsorites driving byhonking and waving to send Willis off into his retirement.

"We just, we had a blast. Everything was perfect. That was Saturday. Sunday he tinkered around the house. And then Monday around lunchtime, he got sick," Jobin said. "We think it could have been [a] possible aneurysm, could have been a stroke, rushed to the hospital and he's holding his own.

"Thank goodness he's holding his own."

Jobin credits Willis' wife Ilean the couple "like bread and butter" with getting him help so soon, and the paramedics and doctors who responded so quickly.

Jobin says now, he and all of Willis' many family and friends are just hoping and praying for Glenn's continued recovery.

"It's still a hit and miss, but we have all the faith in the world in him," Jobin said. "Everyone's praying and keeping the faith for Glenn."

Jobin says he was with Willis that Monday morning, just hours before Glenn would be rushed to the hospital, runningan errand emblematic of his friend's good nature.

"This is how nice the guy is He's got a beautiful power wheelchair, worth a lot of money, and he donated it to a retirement home ... [An]elderly lady needed one and he was not charging nothing," Jobin said. "You know, he'd give you the shirt off his back anytime."

Jobin says Willis is a member of the Misfits car club and is eager to spend his retirement tinkering with his own show cars, instead of fixing other people's. He's a doting grandfather who can't wait to spend more time with his granddaughter, who loves to cruise down Ouellettewith her "papa," especially in the loud cars.

"This is an eye-opener for everyone around who loves himand keeps the faith and prayers every day. I get messages all day long saying,'we're praying for your buddy' so we're hoping they work."

Ilean Willis has taken to posting regular updates on Glenn's recovery to community Facebook groups, where hundreds of people share their wishes for Glenn's recovery.

In an update earlier this week she said things were "up and down...that's what I have been told will happen."

"I talk to him everyday telling him so many people [are]praying for him," Ilean Willis told CBC News.

It's now been eight days since Glenn went into the hospital, and Jobin says there have been improvements, but it's a slow road.

"Isn't that crazy, you know howfragile is life? That shows you right there," he said.

"It's time toreally relax and look at what you have. Smell the roses, right? Life goes by, it's a fleeting glimpse andthe older you get, the faster it goes. So just enjoy your health now, enjoy your friends, family, just enjoy. We have to."