Billy Fuccillo, legendary automotive industry icon and founder of the Fuccillo Automotive Group has died at the age of 65. Fuccillo’s death was announced early Friday morning after many years of declining health.
Fuccillo began building his highly successful auto career in 1981 by purchasing his first wholesale car business. His first franchise dealership would come eight years later. However, Fuccillo is perhaps most well-known for his attention-grabbing television advertisements where he often boasted his trademark phrase: “It’s gonna be Huuuuuuuuuggge.” Nowadays, Fuccillo Automotive Group has over 20 car dealerships split between New York and Florida.
In addition to his larger than life personality and savvy mind for business, Fuccillo was also a philanthropist and valued the communities he did business in. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fuccillo Automotive donated hundreds of meals to frontline workers and essential personnel at hospitals across Western New York. Fuccillo also gave generous contributions to several charities including The Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association to name a few.
Fuccillo is fondly remembered by colleagues and peers in the automotive industry. Paul Stasiak, president of the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association, told Buffalo News, “He changed not the way business was done – he changed the mindset of a lot of dealers on how they can and should market.”
He is survived by his wife, Cindy and son, Billy Fuccillo Jr.
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