Artie Fuccillo has to be one of the most recognizable names in all theLong Island Advanceissues back to the early ‘50s. After his death at his Fort Myers home on April 30, social media users took to remembering him as a “legend,” “Patchogue icon,” and “community leader.”
Fuccillo was a Patchogue businessman and dedicated community leader whose influence spanned generations. He took over Fuccillo Fuel Oil, founded by his father in 1931, which in the late 1970s merged companies and became proprietor of F & R Fuel Oil Company.
In 1986, he was one of three businessmen instrumental in saving the Patchogue Theatre. He later served as a director on the board of the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.
He owned property on River Avenue and the family home still stands on the corner where he grew up. He also owned the Village Mall in Patchogue, playing a meaningful role in the area’s economic growth and vitality.
In 1992, he also was a founder of the village’s Business Improvement District.
“Arthur Fuccillo was a Patchogue legend whose influence is all over our community. He was a founder of the Patchogue BID, past president of our chamber of commerce, and one of the investors who made reopening the Patchogue Theatre possible,” said the current BID executive director David Kennedy. “More importantly, he was a mentor and friend to me and someone who I always looked up to for exceptional council and advice. He was also very fun to be around, with a great sense of humor. Patchogue lost a giant pillar of the community.”
His dedication to his community continued as he served as Greater Patchogue Chamber president and was attributed to unifying it in the late 1990s.
“We at The Colony Shop extend our sympathy not only to the Fuccillo family but also to Patchogue on the passing of Artie,” said Lori Belmonte and Lari Fiala, owners of the Colony Shop and members of the chamber. “We have lost not only a very successful businessman, who loved Patchogue, but also a true humanitarian.”
Fuccillo was also a Patchogue Fire Department commissioner and Patchogue-Medford school board member, as well as an honorary life member of the Patchogue Knights of Columbus Council 725 and a life member of the Patchogue Elks Lodge. He was also a longtime member of the Patchogue Lions Club.
“Artie Fuccillo’s legacy is one of leadership, generosity, and enduring dedication to his family, his businesses, and the Patchogue community,” said his daughter, Jean-Marie Fuccillo-Scutari, on behalf of all his children.
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