He could not be reached for comment. Today, the Fuccillo Automotive Group owns more than 25 dealerships throughout Florida and New York. [3] His trademark saying is "it's HUGE! After a short while, the Korean-owned corporation named his Kia dealership the best-selling in the entire world. WebBilly Fuccillos booming voice can be heard on the radio, on television, or on the lot if you live in Southwest Florida or close to one of his other dealerships. The board and the management team all believe that, given the diversified nature of our portfolio, pursuing multiple transactions with different potential buyers for assets or groups of assets presents the best opportunity to maximize stockholder value, Tawfik said in LMPs statement. Billy Fuccillo is survived by hiswife, Cindy, and son, Billy Jr., who is the president of the Fuccillo Automotive Group. Kia-branded automobiles have quickly climbed into the top 10 of new car sales in Lee County since the Fuccillo Kia car dealership debuted in December 2010. Matthews said the approximately 300 Fuccillo employees at the five dealerships will he has a great heart as well. The margins and the profits, even with reduced inventory, have been strong. [6], Fuccillo died in his Florida home on June 17, 2021, after months of declining health and battling a long-term illness. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. Billy had a reputation for unexpectedly calling and stating, Hey, Ive got something for you. When you come down here, you know that. A decade after Southwest Florida first felt his outsized presence, legendary car dealer Billy Fuccillo has died at 65. The Cape Coral and Port Charlotte Fuccillo Kia dealerships were sold to LMP Automotive Holdings, a Delaware-based company, in late 2020. Fuccillo Hyundai and Kia, both located on West Ridge Road in Greece, were purchased by the Matthews Auto Group of Vestal, Broome County, the dealership announced Wednesday. No free cruises or TVs, according to the contract that was listed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Were based out of Tampa. Webselmon brothers bbq sauce recipe; best websites for tesla browser; lacerta files debunked; sass background image: url; how can the identifiability of personal information be reduced My eyes will always look for you among a crowd of people. It doesnt happen very often in todays market, because the markets just hot, she said of deals falling through. But this hasnt deterred anyone from moving here.. WebIn total, he was awarded 19 franchises. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. William Bruce "Billy" Fuccillo Sr. (January 9, 1956 June 17, 2021) was an American car dealer who ran a network of car dealerships called the Fuccillo Automotive Group. "I was in the hospital fo Biography. Bernhard said she did not think the recent impacts of Hurricane Ian would play much of a factor in finding a new buyer for the Cape Coral Kia dealership, not with the amount of Kias in the area that need servicing and the regional popularity of the brand established by Fuccillo. Over time, the business grew to over 25 dealerships in New York and Florida[2] selling a variety of brands. Which was heartbreaking because we didnt want to see anybody suffer. Long before the Pine Island Road boom, when Cape Coral was the focus of the national housing crash, and in a Southwest Florida still reeling from the Great Recession, he gambled on property that housed an abandoned Saturn dealership. he has a great heart as well. In addition to selling cars, he has actually evolved into something of an icon. We thought it was coming here, and we evacuated. American automobile dealership owner (19562021), "New job on menu for server who won $75,000 Fuccillo prize", "Fuccillo Locations | Fuccillo Automotive Group", "Billy Fuccillo, known for 'huge' radio spots for his car dealerships, locked in cyberpiracy battle", Huuuuuge started as an ad-lib for Billy Fuccillo, became iconic upstate NY catchphrase, "Tom Park, of Fuccillo commercial fame, dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_Fuccillo&oldid=1102914956, American business biography, 1950s birth stubs, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 August 2022, at 15:33. After Fuccillo died in June 2021, his company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million to LMP Automotive Holdings. Going into the pandemic, and coming out of the pandemic, these dealers are making really good money. Jenny Park, Parks 48-year-old wife, commented on her blog about his passing on June 19, CNY Central reported on Tuesday. There will never be another Billy.". Man, Billy was a legend. There arent a lot of sellers raising their hands. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Every time we played and he made a shot, someone would exclaim, That was HUGE! A lot of it is based on the franchise and the location. Theyre just not really interested in selling unless theres a really strong buyer with deep pockets, and they know theyre going to be approved by the manufacturer.. LMP Automotive Holdings, based in West Palm Beach, announced Monday it will be liquidating and dissolving assets of between $115 million and $126 million to its shareholders, CEO Sam Tawfik said in a news release. Details of the funeral are still being withheld. LMP Cape Coral KOCC LLC paid $13.1 million for Fuccillos Cape Coral car lot in March 2021, property records show. The other four dealerships that were going to be part of the deal are in West Virginia. According to the Times-Union, he claimed to be broke and on the verge of being kicked out of his flat after graduation. No free cruises or TVs, according to the contract that was listed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to Simpson, Fuccillo made significant contributions to the South Jefferson Central School athletic department as well as the fire department and other neighborhood organizations. At the time of his passing, he was a resident of Sarasota, Florida. WebIn total, he was awarded 19 franchises. The attorney for the former city manager of Cape Coral, Rob Hernandez, is speaking out on behalf of his client after Hernandez was fired last week. Peter Church, 301 Ash St., Syracuse, NY, in honor of Billy. Billy claimed Caroline called him and requested to return. Although he appeared in those advertisements, he was always giving back to the community says he. In 2012, he threw a Styx concert on his Cape Coral lot, luring in thousands of the classic rockers fans and selling dozens of cars along the way. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1978 with a degree in marketing. Neighbors on Northwest 29th Terrace in []. Fuccillo is an impressive operation with a great team who has sold tens of thousands of vehicles, company President Rob Matthews said in a statement on the auto groups Facebook page. Because of the growth, she was confident LMP Automotive would find a new buyer soon. Fuccillos passing was disclosed to members of the Syracuse Auto Dealers Association through email on Friday morning, according to WSTM. He has made numerous appearances in radio and television advertising, often quoting his catchphrase Its HUGE! Billy, though, has reportedly been missing for months without explanation. Got a question about Kia of Cape Coral? The Dunbar Easter Parade was started in the early 1940s to give people of color a parade of their own when they couldnt participate in the Edison Festival of Light. Billy Fuccillos booming voice can be heard on the radio, on television, or on the lot if you live in Southwest Florida or close to one of his other dealerships. Hundreds of people showed up Wednesday night to a candlelit vigil at Babcock Ranch to remember a teen killed on his way to school. Raised on Long Island, Fuccillo started selling cars after he graduated from Syracuse University, where he played tight end for the schools football team before graduating in 1978 with a marketing major and psychology minor. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. In March, his Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral sold for $13.1 million, ending a flamboyant era marked by rock concerts, cruise giveaways, and torn-uplease agreements. Fuccillo was born in Greenport, Suffolk County, New York in 1956. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1978 with a degree in marketing. Within a few years, the Korean-owned company recognized his Kia dealership as the world's top-seller. When Park first received the chance to appear in a car commercial in 1981, he was a young musician (his wife was the bands lead singer) and was attempting to get into broadcasting. and have always had it serviced there painlessly. The projected sale this month of what used to be the late Billy Fuccillos Kia dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte have fallen through. Its going to be huuuuuge! Biography. He was the well-known figure in Southwest Florida, the one with the welcoming smile you could just walk up to and strike up a conversation with. What happened to Billy Fuccillo is a question that is starting to circulate. Because everyone knew his name, that man was among the smartest men I have ever met, Perrella told the Times-Union. In terms of marketing, he did an excellent job. Compass Hotel by Margaritaville coming to Naples, Cape Corals first affordable housing community breaks ground, Boston-themed Sheas Lansdowne Street launches new Naples location, Pickleball continues massive growth, especially in SWFL, Tim Aten Knows: Publix, restaurants, more coming to Oil Well Road, Governor signs Live Local Act as Collier County strives for more housing affordability, FDOT studies improvements to Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 intersection, Crisp & Green opens Estero restaurant, more planned in SWFL, Naples City Council changes public speaking procedures for off-agenda comments, Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant opens in south Fort Myers, Sarah Owen stepping down after 12-year run at Collaboratory, Cape Coral approves 1,700-acre planned unit development, Former Billy Fuccillo Kia dealerships selling again in Cape Coral, Port Charlotte. That company announced this summer. Fuccillo sold his Cape Coral house to Kevin Ruanes family trust for $2.25 million last year after realizing that his health had deteriorated over the previous year. Hes appeared in countless commercials on television and radio, never neglecting to use his Its HUGE! catchphrase. [1] Following college, he worked at various car dealerships. In an interview with the Times Union in 2008, Fuccillo stated, My mum says she mutes me when my advertisements come on.. Billy was an innovator. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Two restaurants fail health inspection: March 19-25, Why the Onondaga Lake Pkwy exit is closed, again, Crunch inches closer to playoff spot with OT win, Baty injured in Syracuse Mets home-opening win, Syracuse Mets home opener is this afternoon, Syracuse crunch edged by Comets in shootout, Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York, Guardian Angel Society to host Kentucky Derby party, 9 things you can do with a food processor, Local farm donates over 10k eggs to Food Bank of, St. Lawrence County landlords discuss housing shortage, This is where Central New Yorkers will travel for, Events happening in Downtown Syracuse this spring, Yung Gravy to headline SUNY Cortlands Spring Fling, OTL: Suspected debit card thief at BVille gas station, New York State ranked among top 5 states with most, Oneida vape shop sold 11,800 untaxed cigarettes, Applebees offers free meals for kids on Easter Sunday, Two Central New York schools received bomb threats, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. In 2019, he surprised the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida with a $100,000 donation, lauding the nonprofit for "making a 'HUGE' difference in the lives of individuals and families in need locally for over three decades," he said at the time. In the mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery, a private interment will take place. was patient and understanding with us as well. In the 2000s, Park, a Texas native with a broadcasting production company, acted as Fuccillos sidekick in radio and TV commercials for automobile sales. The price of a dealership always depends on the location and the number of vehicles on hand that would be included in the transaction. Fuccillo Hyundai and Kia, both located on West Ridge Road in Greece, were purchased by the Matthews Auto Group of Vestal, Broome County, the dealership announced Wednesday. All rights reserved. The owner of a pair of former Billy Fuccillo KIA dealerships in Southwest Florida finds itself in a HUUGJA mess. Free gas day was also observed. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. Matthews is a family-owned auto group dating to 1973. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Auto dealer Billy Fuccillo is selling his two Kia dealerships in Florida for $36 million. on-air. Matthews is a family-owned auto group dating to 1973. Fuccillo last visited the Cape Coral dealership in October 2019 and since 2020 has not appeared in any more TV commercials. People could make fun of him, but what the heck? Everybody wants to come down to Florida, Bernhard said, despite the hurricane risk. And then down south just got destroyed. A decade after Southwest Florida first felt his outsized presence, legendary car dealerBilly Fuccillo has died at 65. I was so glad to have met him, she said, and always tell people he was much different in person than he appeared on TV. Smith plans to return to the restaurant soon and raise a toast to his memory. Fuccillo knew Robert Goodman as a buddy. Fuccillo reportedly had more than 25 dealerships at his height, mostly in New York and Florida. The market has been very strong for automotive, Bernhard said. His enduring presence came to an abrupt end upon suffering a stroke in the fall of 2019. According to his dealership, Fuccillo, 65, passed away on Friday, June 18, following months of deteriorating health. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. Over the years, he donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to both the Salvation Army and the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Matthews bought five dealerships in all, including three others in the Syracuse area. Biography. The community filed complaints and even went to the mayors office to try and change it. I believe that many people who only saw his advertisements did not come to know him in the same way that those of us who lived in the region did. New Yorks WATERTOWN (WWNY) Billy Fuccillo, who became famous in the congested world of auto dealerships for his catchphrase Its going to be huuuuge, has passed away. Price: $36 million.
[3] His trademark saying is "it's HUGE! After a short while, the Korean-owned corporation named his Kia dealership the best-selling in the entire world. WebBilly Fuccillos booming voice can be heard on the radio, on television, or on the lot if you live in Southwest Florida or close to one of his other dealerships. The board and the management team all believe that, given the diversified nature of our portfolio, pursuing multiple transactions with different potential buyers for assets or groups of assets presents the best opportunity to maximize stockholder value, Tawfik said in LMPs statement. Billy Fuccillo is survived by hiswife, Cindy, and son, Billy Jr., who is the president of the Fuccillo Automotive Group. Kia-branded automobiles have quickly climbed into the top 10 of new car sales in Lee County since the Fuccillo Kia car dealership debuted in December 2010. Matthews said the approximately 300 Fuccillo employees at the five dealerships will he has a great heart as well. The margins and the profits, even with reduced inventory, have been strong. [6], Fuccillo died in his Florida home on June 17, 2021, after months of declining health and battling a long-term illness. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. Billy had a reputation for unexpectedly calling and stating, Hey, Ive got something for you. When you come down here, you know that. A decade after Southwest Florida first felt his outsized presence, legendary car dealer Billy Fuccillo has died at 65. The Cape Coral and Port Charlotte Fuccillo Kia dealerships were sold to LMP Automotive Holdings, a Delaware-based company, in late 2020. Fuccillo Hyundai and Kia, both located on West Ridge Road in Greece, were purchased by the Matthews Auto Group of Vestal, Broome County, the dealership announced Wednesday. No free cruises or TVs, according to the contract that was listed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Were based out of Tampa. Webselmon brothers bbq sauce recipe; best websites for tesla browser; lacerta files debunked; sass background image: url; how can the identifiability of personal information be reduced My eyes will always look for you among a crowd of people. It doesnt happen very often in todays market, because the markets just hot, she said of deals falling through. But this hasnt deterred anyone from moving here.. WebIn total, he was awarded 19 franchises. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. William Bruce "Billy" Fuccillo Sr. (January 9, 1956 June 17, 2021) was an American car dealer who ran a network of car dealerships called the Fuccillo Automotive Group. "I was in the hospital fo Biography. Bernhard said she did not think the recent impacts of Hurricane Ian would play much of a factor in finding a new buyer for the Cape Coral Kia dealership, not with the amount of Kias in the area that need servicing and the regional popularity of the brand established by Fuccillo. Over time, the business grew to over 25 dealerships in New York and Florida[2] selling a variety of brands. Which was heartbreaking because we didnt want to see anybody suffer. Long before the Pine Island Road boom, when Cape Coral was the focus of the national housing crash, and in a Southwest Florida still reeling from the Great Recession, he gambled on property that housed an abandoned Saturn dealership. he has a great heart as well. In addition to selling cars, he has actually evolved into something of an icon. We thought it was coming here, and we evacuated. American automobile dealership owner (19562021), "New job on menu for server who won $75,000 Fuccillo prize", "Fuccillo Locations | Fuccillo Automotive Group", "Billy Fuccillo, known for 'huge' radio spots for his car dealerships, locked in cyberpiracy battle", Huuuuuge started as an ad-lib for Billy Fuccillo, became iconic upstate NY catchphrase, "Tom Park, of Fuccillo commercial fame, dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_Fuccillo&oldid=1102914956, American business biography, 1950s birth stubs, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 August 2022, at 15:33. After Fuccillo died in June 2021, his company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million to LMP Automotive Holdings. Going into the pandemic, and coming out of the pandemic, these dealers are making really good money. Jenny Park, Parks 48-year-old wife, commented on her blog about his passing on June 19, CNY Central reported on Tuesday. There will never be another Billy.". Man, Billy was a legend. There arent a lot of sellers raising their hands. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Every time we played and he made a shot, someone would exclaim, That was HUGE! A lot of it is based on the franchise and the location. Theyre just not really interested in selling unless theres a really strong buyer with deep pockets, and they know theyre going to be approved by the manufacturer.. LMP Automotive Holdings, based in West Palm Beach, announced Monday it will be liquidating and dissolving assets of between $115 million and $126 million to its shareholders, CEO Sam Tawfik said in a news release. Details of the funeral are still being withheld. LMP Cape Coral KOCC LLC paid $13.1 million for Fuccillos Cape Coral car lot in March 2021, property records show. The other four dealerships that were going to be part of the deal are in West Virginia. According to the Times-Union, he claimed to be broke and on the verge of being kicked out of his flat after graduation. No free cruises or TVs, according to the contract that was listed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to Simpson, Fuccillo made significant contributions to the South Jefferson Central School athletic department as well as the fire department and other neighborhood organizations. At the time of his passing, he was a resident of Sarasota, Florida. WebIn total, he was awarded 19 franchises. The attorney for the former city manager of Cape Coral, Rob Hernandez, is speaking out on behalf of his client after Hernandez was fired last week. Peter Church, 301 Ash St., Syracuse, NY, in honor of Billy. Billy claimed Caroline called him and requested to return. Although he appeared in those advertisements, he was always giving back to the community says he. In 2012, he threw a Styx concert on his Cape Coral lot, luring in thousands of the classic rockers fans and selling dozens of cars along the way. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1978 with a degree in marketing. Neighbors on Northwest 29th Terrace in []. Fuccillo is an impressive operation with a great team who has sold tens of thousands of vehicles, company President Rob Matthews said in a statement on the auto groups Facebook page. Because of the growth, she was confident LMP Automotive would find a new buyer soon. Fuccillos passing was disclosed to members of the Syracuse Auto Dealers Association through email on Friday morning, according to WSTM. He has made numerous appearances in radio and television advertising, often quoting his catchphrase Its HUGE! Billy, though, has reportedly been missing for months without explanation. Got a question about Kia of Cape Coral? The Dunbar Easter Parade was started in the early 1940s to give people of color a parade of their own when they couldnt participate in the Edison Festival of Light. Billy Fuccillos booming voice can be heard on the radio, on television, or on the lot if you live in Southwest Florida or close to one of his other dealerships. Hundreds of people showed up Wednesday night to a candlelit vigil at Babcock Ranch to remember a teen killed on his way to school. Raised on Long Island, Fuccillo started selling cars after he graduated from Syracuse University, where he played tight end for the schools football team before graduating in 1978 with a marketing major and psychology minor. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. In March, his Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral sold for $13.1 million, ending a flamboyant era marked by rock concerts, cruise giveaways, and torn-uplease agreements. Fuccillo was born in Greenport, Suffolk County, New York in 1956. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1978 with a degree in marketing. Within a few years, the Korean-owned company recognized his Kia dealership as the world's top-seller. When Park first received the chance to appear in a car commercial in 1981, he was a young musician (his wife was the bands lead singer) and was attempting to get into broadcasting. and have always had it serviced there painlessly. The projected sale this month of what used to be the late Billy Fuccillos Kia dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte have fallen through. Its going to be huuuuuge! Biography. He was the well-known figure in Southwest Florida, the one with the welcoming smile you could just walk up to and strike up a conversation with. What happened to Billy Fuccillo is a question that is starting to circulate. Because everyone knew his name, that man was among the smartest men I have ever met, Perrella told the Times-Union. In terms of marketing, he did an excellent job. Compass Hotel by Margaritaville coming to Naples, Cape Corals first affordable housing community breaks ground, Boston-themed Sheas Lansdowne Street launches new Naples location, Pickleball continues massive growth, especially in SWFL, Tim Aten Knows: Publix, restaurants, more coming to Oil Well Road, Governor signs Live Local Act as Collier County strives for more housing affordability, FDOT studies improvements to Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41 intersection, Crisp & Green opens Estero restaurant, more planned in SWFL, Naples City Council changes public speaking procedures for off-agenda comments, Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurant opens in south Fort Myers, Sarah Owen stepping down after 12-year run at Collaboratory, Cape Coral approves 1,700-acre planned unit development, Former Billy Fuccillo Kia dealerships selling again in Cape Coral, Port Charlotte. That company announced this summer. Fuccillo sold his Cape Coral house to Kevin Ruanes family trust for $2.25 million last year after realizing that his health had deteriorated over the previous year. Hes appeared in countless commercials on television and radio, never neglecting to use his Its HUGE! catchphrase. [1] Following college, he worked at various car dealerships. In an interview with the Times Union in 2008, Fuccillo stated, My mum says she mutes me when my advertisements come on.. Billy was an innovator. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Two restaurants fail health inspection: March 19-25, Why the Onondaga Lake Pkwy exit is closed, again, Crunch inches closer to playoff spot with OT win, Baty injured in Syracuse Mets home-opening win, Syracuse Mets home opener is this afternoon, Syracuse crunch edged by Comets in shootout, Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York, Guardian Angel Society to host Kentucky Derby party, 9 things you can do with a food processor, Local farm donates over 10k eggs to Food Bank of, St. Lawrence County landlords discuss housing shortage, This is where Central New Yorkers will travel for, Events happening in Downtown Syracuse this spring, Yung Gravy to headline SUNY Cortlands Spring Fling, OTL: Suspected debit card thief at BVille gas station, New York State ranked among top 5 states with most, Oneida vape shop sold 11,800 untaxed cigarettes, Applebees offers free meals for kids on Easter Sunday, Two Central New York schools received bomb threats, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. In 2019, he surprised the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida with a $100,000 donation, lauding the nonprofit for "making a 'HUGE' difference in the lives of individuals and families in need locally for over three decades," he said at the time. In the mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery, a private interment will take place. was patient and understanding with us as well. In the 2000s, Park, a Texas native with a broadcasting production company, acted as Fuccillos sidekick in radio and TV commercials for automobile sales. The price of a dealership always depends on the location and the number of vehicles on hand that would be included in the transaction. Fuccillo Hyundai and Kia, both located on West Ridge Road in Greece, were purchased by the Matthews Auto Group of Vestal, Broome County, the dealership announced Wednesday. All rights reserved. The owner of a pair of former Billy Fuccillo KIA dealerships in Southwest Florida finds itself in a HUUGJA mess. Free gas day was also observed. The late Billy Fuccillos company sold his dealerships in Cape Coral and Port Charlotte for a combined $36 million in 2021. Matthews is a family-owned auto group dating to 1973. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Auto dealer Billy Fuccillo is selling his two Kia dealerships in Florida for $36 million. on-air. Matthews is a family-owned auto group dating to 1973. Fuccillo last visited the Cape Coral dealership in October 2019 and since 2020 has not appeared in any more TV commercials. People could make fun of him, but what the heck? Everybody wants to come down to Florida, Bernhard said, despite the hurricane risk. And then down south just got destroyed. A decade after Southwest Florida first felt his outsized presence, legendary car dealerBilly Fuccillo has died at 65. I was so glad to have met him, she said, and always tell people he was much different in person than he appeared on TV. Smith plans to return to the restaurant soon and raise a toast to his memory. Fuccillo knew Robert Goodman as a buddy. Fuccillo reportedly had more than 25 dealerships at his height, mostly in New York and Florida. The market has been very strong for automotive, Bernhard said. His enduring presence came to an abrupt end upon suffering a stroke in the fall of 2019. According to his dealership, Fuccillo, 65, passed away on Friday, June 18, following months of deteriorating health. The sale was effective Tuesday, and includes the transfer of the five dealerships, an inventory of more than 1,000 vehicles, and about 300 Fuccillo employees joining the Matthews Auto Group. Over the years, he donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to both the Salvation Army and the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Matthews bought five dealerships in all, including three others in the Syracuse area. Biography. The community filed complaints and even went to the mayors office to try and change it. I believe that many people who only saw his advertisements did not come to know him in the same way that those of us who lived in the region did. New Yorks WATERTOWN (WWNY) Billy Fuccillo, who became famous in the congested world of auto dealerships for his catchphrase Its going to be huuuuge, has passed away. Price: $36 million.