'Huge' car dealer and philanthropist Billy Fuccillo has died

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — "Huge" car dealer and philanthropist Billy Fuccillo has died.

Billy Fuccillo, whose trademark "It's gonna be Huuuuuuuuuggge," ended his car dealership commercials for years across Upstate New York and Florida had died. His death, after a long illness, CNY Central has learned.

"He was bigger than life," Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said of Fuccillo. "When I was asked years ago to help fund the Syracuse Police Department memorial in downtown Syracuse, Billy was the first guy to help, Fitzpatrick recalled.

The Syracuse Auto Dealers Association announced Fuccillo's death Friday morning in an email to members.

"It is with great sadness that we advise you of the passing of former member and friend, Billy Fuccillo," the note said.

Fuccillo passed away in Florida at his home "after months of declining health."

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Fuccillo, an avid golfer was always attracting attention on the course, Fitzpatrick said. "Every time I played with him and he hit a shot somebody would scream “That was HUGE!” And Billy would smile and wave like he heard it for the first time. Just a great man," Fitzpatrick said.

Fuccillo and his son, Billy Fuccillo Jr., owned several dealerships in Upstate New York. In January of this year, five of the locations in Syracuse and Rochester were sold off to a different dealership.

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Fuccillo was very active in charities and helping those in need. This is a video of him in 2012 on NBC3's Today in Central New York making a donation to a food pantry.

Fuccillo was born on Long Island and came to Syracuse to attend Syracuse University.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy and son, Billy Fuccillo Jr.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

Calling hours will be held at Thomas J. Pirro Funeral Home in North Syracuse from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 24.

The funeral mass will be held Friday at 11 a.m. Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter's Church on Syracuse's north side. The burial will be private.