Billy Fuccillo dies; Auto dealer famous for HUUUUUGE slogan was 65

Jun. 18—SYRACUSE — The man who adopted a HUUUUUUGE! on-air persona to pitch great deals at his large network of auto dealerships has died.

Billy Fuccillo had been ill for a lengthy period and passed away Thursday in Sarasota, Florida, his attorney told Syracuse-area news outlets Friday. He was 64.

"Billy was a giant in the auto industry," attorney Robert S. Scalione said in a statement quoted by localsyr.com. "He also did a lot of good things for people, and felt good when he was able to change people's lives."

Fuccillo was a Long Island native who attended Syracuse University and stayed in the area after graduation, building a large network of dealerships under his name.

Advertisements for sales campaigns and discounts at his showrooms featured that one word — huge — that became indelibly associated with the man and his brand, even when he wasn't in the ad.

Some loved it, some found it grating, but no one would ever mistake a Fuccillo ad for anything else.

With fame and success came wealth, and Fuccillo became known for philanthropy as well.

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy gave Fuccillo the key to the city in recognition of the economic and charitable impact he'd made in the area.