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https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbourne-furniture-icon-franco-cozzo-dies-aged-87/news-story/60be30f8b6e38330b05d57ba2e3b2dd1>
"The Victorian government says it’s too early to say if a state funeral will be
offered for “much-loved” icon Franco Cozzo.
Tributes flowed on Wednesday for the Melbourne “furniture king”, who died aged
87.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on Thursday said of plans for a state funeral:
“It’s too early to say. “I’m not sure if contact has been made with his family
but our thoughts right now are with his family a much-loved icon.
“I’m not going to preempt any conversations that may or may not have been held
with Mr Cozzo’s family,” she said.
Ms Thomas reflected on the “many, many nights” watching late-night TV years ago
and seeing Cozzo’s face flash across the screen.
“Franco Cozzo was certainly very much a part of my youth and my thoughts and
best wishes are with his family,” she said.
“A true migrant success story. A story about all that can be achieved in this
great state of ours … a much-loved icon of this state.”
Mr Cozzo’s life was a rags-to-riches western suburbs tale that became a
household name with his catchcrys imitated across Victoria.
A post-war immigrant from Sicily, he became famous through his stores selling
ornate furniture and low-budget homemade TV commercials spruiking “grand sale”,
“megalo (large)”, and “Foot-a-scray and Bruns-a- wick” in a thick accent.
His family said: “It is with great sadness that we announced the passing of our
beloved Franco Cozzo. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family.”
Mr Cozzo, arrived from Ramacca, Italy in 1956, and his story of success was
made into a biopic for the Italian Film Festival in 2021."
RIP,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
