Syracuse, N.Y. — Tom Park, known for costarring alongside Billy Fuccillo in Central New York car commercials, died Sunday night.
Park’s wife, Jenny Lou Park, announced in a Facebook post he died from cancer. He was 69.
“My man, Tom Park, married to for 48 years, rock and rolled for our best youngest years, had two sons who brought him the most joy in life, a proud Papa to his 5 granddaughters, car commercial G.O.A.T., hottest guitarist, puppy to his kitty, lover of fishing and golf, passed away today from cancer at 6:21 p.m. surrounded by family,” she wrote on Facebook. “Thank you, babe, for the laughs, music, love and the wildest trip of a marriage ever!”
Before becoming famous for “HUGE” car dealership commercials in Central New York, Park played lead guitar in a band called Talewind in the early 1980s, according to a 2002 article written by the AP’s Michael Hill in The Oklahoman. His wife sang in the band.
Park later began his own production company, Tom Park Media, in 1985 with one client, a Dodge dealership in Oklahoma City, according to the article. The company said on its website that it has helped auto dealers sell over 3 million vehicles to date.
Park’s years of successful marketing campaigns with car dealerships around the country, caught the attention of Fuccillo and the two began working together in the early 1990s.
“The guys he was working with sold mega-cars. So, I knew it was working,” Fuccillo told the AP’s Hill in 2002.
Fucillo died in June of 2021 at his home in Sarasota, Florida, his attorney, Robert Scalione told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard last year. Scalione said Fuccillo had been ill before he died.
Ron Mansour, Fuccillo Auto Group general manager, also expressed his condolences for Park’s death in a post on his LinkedIn page.
“Our condolences to one of the Greats that ever did it with the Fuccillo Auto Group!” he wrote. “Tom Park you were a class act and one of a kind! You and Billy we’re like Peanut butter and Jelly. Billy couldn’t have chosen anyone better. I hope you are lighting up the TV spots with Billy in heaven! Sadly missed. LEGENDS! You’ll always be #huge.”
As of Tuesday night, no information had been released on calling hours or funeral services for Park.
Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.