Jay Cimino, 87, retired president and CEO of Phil Long Dealerships, died February 24, 2024, at his home in Colorado Springs.

My lasting remembrance of Jay was the evening of Sept. 17, 2021, when more than 600 persons gathered beneath a large tent on the grounds of the Elitch Gardens to celebrate the inaugural class for the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame. Jay walked over to our table and visited with my family and me, before he and I were inducted into the HOF.

He once sent to me a photo of his 1936 Ford Roadster, one of many beautiful models in a large, private collection of his. I assumed the roadster probably was his favorite; others, though, said he favored a custom 1957 Chevy Corvette. Cimino declined to select a favorite.

Cimino was born and raised in Trinidad; he has given back to his hometown bigtime through the years. His philanthropy has boosted the community. He established the Trinidad Community Foundation, the Jay Cimino Champion Scholarship Fund for Holy Trinity Academy students and a visitor center. Perhaps most meaningful is the establishment of the Mt. Carmel Health, Wellness and Community Center.

He opened Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad in 2010. The Phil Long dealerships are the largest privately held automotive group in Colorado. A celebration of Cimino’s life ceremony was in Colorado Springs.