The day of March 26 in Colorado Springs now bears the name and honors the memory of one of the city’s most well-known businessmen and philanthropists.

The City Council on Tuesday officially declared by proclamation that March 26 is now known as Gerald “Jay” Cimino Day in the city. The proclamation pays homage to the life and legacy of the community benefactor and automotive giant, born and raised in Trinidad, who built the Phil Long Dealerships into the largest privately held automotive group in Colorado and into one of the top 100 car dealers in the nation.

“It’s our honor and privilege to have this day named after my dad, and it is our goal to carry on his legacy that he timelessly built to always take care of our community and others,” Cimino’s son Vince Cimino said Tuesday morning following the reading of the proclamation at City Hall.

He was surrounded by other family, including his sister Laurie Cimino, friends, local business leaders, members of the philanthropic and veteran communities, and Colorado Springs officials such as Mayor Yemi Mobolade and former Mayor John Suthers.

The symbolic honor comes just over a month after news Jay Cimino had died Feb. 24 at age 87. Just four days earlier on Feb. 20, after an illustrious and accolade-filled 49-year career with Phil Long, he announced his retirement as president and CEO of the organization.

“Having grown up here, we hold Colorado Springs near and dear to our hearts, and are proud of the positive impact our dad had … on the city,” Laurie Cimino, said. “Our dad taught us to be resilient in achieving our goals and never to take no for an answer; to always push forward with an unwavering focus as creative thinkers both in business and in the community. He had a passion for uplifting others and helping them be the best that they can be.”

Family, friends and business partners recalled Cimino’s charitable spirit and the many contributions he made to the cities of Colorado Springs and Trinidad.

Phil Long Dealerships President and CEO Kevin Shaughnessy recalled how Cimino once told him the importance of the dealership was to help do good.

“That was really the purpose of our organization in this community. It wasn’t just to sell a car, it wasn’t just to make a buck. It was to make a positive difference in the community,” Shaughnessy said.

Cimino established three nonprofits: Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center in Trinidad; Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, headquartered in Colorado Springs with offices in Pueblo, Fountain and Trinidad; and Sister Blandina Wellness Gardens in Trinidad.

Among his contributions in Colorado Springs, Cimino’s Phil Long Community Fund helped build America the Beautiful, Memorial, Palmer and Cottonwood Creek parks.

In his hometown Trinidad, he was one of 13 people who helped return public access back to Fishers Peak, culminating in what is now Fishers Peak State Park, Colorado’s 42nd and second-largest state park. Cimino also opened a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Trinidad last year, and preserved and transformed historic buildings into Club 14 Garden Grill and Pub, The Food Court at The Marketplace, The Stock House and the Champions Center.

Through corporate and employee pledges, Phil Long Dealerships has donated more than $3 million to benefit charities across Colorado, a news release states.

To honor Cimino, the dealership organization in April will launch a “Thanks, Jay” community giveback campaign, Shaughnessy announced.

For every new or pre-owned vehicle the organization sells next month, it will donate to one of five community-focused organizations selected by their customer, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Springs’ soon-to-launch mental health and neighboring initiative to hold 1,000 neighborhood block parties, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center, and Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.

“Jay … was an optimist,” former Mayor Suthers said of Cimino. “He had a can-do attitude. He was grateful for the good fortune life had brought him and he set out ways to … invest in people and communities, to make people’s lives better. To honor Jay, the best thing we can do is to strive to follow his example in our own lives.”