TRANSCRIPT
Born in Sicily in 1935, Franco Cozzo migrated to Australia in 1956 at the age of 21.
He began selling electrical appliances door-to-door before opening his furniture stores in Footscray and Brunswick.
But it was his multi-lingual television ads in English, Italian and Greek in the 1980s and '90s that saw him rise to fame.
“Grand sale, grand sale, grand sale! Where? In Brunswick and Footscray. I have the pleasure to present to you bed, dining room and wonderful lounge. Why don't you come for youself and develop magnifica modernismo. Only you can found from Franco Cozzo. Buy from Franco Cozzo. Megalo, megalo, megalo!”
His enthusiastic style and distinctive slogans became iconic, and made him a well-loved local figure in Melbourne's north and west.
A proud Bulldogs fan, he was equally proud to call the inner Melbourne suburb of Footscray home.
The club responded to the news of his death, posting a message on Instagram saying: "A Footscray icon. RIP."
Business owner Chris Tabone says he considers the man a legend.
“Franco Cozzo is a legend of Footscray. I think he was just such a charismatic character. He came over as a migrant and just made a name from himself. And just being European heritage myself, I think it is pretty impressive. Yeah, he's kind of been a little hero of mine. And now being in Footscray and having a business myself, it's pretty cool.”
In the We Are West documentary series, Franco Cozzo describes his early years as an immigrant in Australia.
“I come from Italy (laughs) with no penny in the pocket. I arrive in Australia when Olympic Games also open. I come here because there was no furniture store in Footscray. Yes, I started with electrical appliances, knocking door to door. Which was very hard. No English, no money in the pocket, but we are here.”
There were tough times for the business and it was sold after two years of lockdown.
The Footscray showroom - still bears his name - but not for much longer.
The local council earlier this year voted to have it transformed into a new venue.
In May this year, then Victorian premier Daniel Andrews listed Cozzo's Footscray store as one of his seven "human-made wonders of Melbourne".
In 2015, his face and story was immortalised in a mural on the side of his Footscray store, painted by Melbourne artist Heesco.
It depicts a young Mr Cozzo with his arms in the air as pieces of furniture with wings are shown flying around his head.
In 2021, a documentary on his life's story was released.
These Victorians told SBS, they will always have a soft spot in their hearts for the man.
Male voxpop 1: “He was a goodhearted man.”
Male voxpop 2: “He was a very sensitive man and he loved to joke. But look it's very sad.”
Female voxpop 1: “He symbolised this seemingly eternal voice of the European migrant generation of his time period.”
Female voxpop 2: “He was someone who changed Footscray - and in many ways put Footscray on the map."
Mr Cozzo also had a passion for music, and showcased that in his role as a producer of a television program featuring Italian musical talent, in the late 1960's in Melbourne, called Carosello.
(music)” Live from Melbourne, it is Carosello, presented by Franco Cozzo and produced by Sergo G and the Flippers. And here is Sergio G and the Flippers with Basta Con La Luna” (music)
Mr Cozzo's daughter, Gisella, herself a singer, songwriter and producer - says her father was a lover of music - and he had a charm than was undeniable.
“He was just down to Earth. He was always so available and there for people. When he actually saw the people coming in (to his store), he would say: Come in! Welcome! It was his place. He loved being in the middle of people. He loved being in this society. He always said to me: I love Australia. Australia made my life. Australia made me who I am. And the family that we are. He is not going to be forgotten. His legacy will live on forever and I'm just so proud.”
Mr Cozzo passed away surrounded by family. He was 87 years old.
He is survived by his wife Assunta Cozzo and his 10 children.
No plans for a state funeral have been confirmed.
The state's health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, says the Victorian government has yet to make a final decision in consultation with the family.
“Our thoughts right now are with his family. A much loved icon, a true migrant success story. A story about all that can be achieved in this great state of ours. And a son of the western suburbs, much loved by so, so many people.”
