Melbourne furniture icon Franco Cozzo dies, aged 87

Tributes are flowing for furniture king Franco Cozzo, a “much-loved icon” of Victoria, but the Allan government says it’s “too early” to say if a state funeral will be held for the man with the larger-than-life personality.

Melbourne furniture king Franco Cozzo has died, aged 87. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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.”

Franco Cozzo was a beloved Melbourne icon. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

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.

“It’s a true story of an immigrant who arrived in Australia with no penny in his pocket, and today, still no money in the pocket,” he told the Herald Sun upon its release.

His furniture stores, in Hopkins St, Footscray, and Sydney Rd, Brunswick, became Melbourne landmarks and famous for their baroque and opulent offerings.

A mural of Mr Cozzo adorned the wall of his Footscray store which was recently the subject of a successful planning application to convert the building into a Moon Dog Brewery and bar.

Mr Cozzo’s TV commercials became part of Melbourne’s cultural DNA and he was much-loved among his community.

Footscray MP Katie Hall said her favourite memory of the furniture king was him sitting at the front of his Hopkins St store which was decorated with Bulldogs colours.

“During the 2016 Grand Final week, Franco decorated the shop and was waving at passers by in his doggies scarf from the footpath.

“I think he had a great time and did loads of TV interviews. In a week of joy, he was so happy, soaking it up.

“Franco loved Footscray and Footscray loved Franco.

Franco Cozzo became famous through his Brunswick and Footscray stores. Picture: David Caird

“A megale, megale character. Warm, funny, happy.”

Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam described Mr Cozzo as a Melbourne icon.

“In the same vein as his slogan – Megalo, megalo, megalo! – Franco Cozzo was also larger than life, and there is no doubt his 80s television ads helped put Footscray on the map,” he said. “He built an empire with a legion of loyal customers and even more loyal fans. But he was also very humble.

Cozzo with Tottie Goldsmith and Chopper Read.

“Despite becoming a household name, he always said ‘he was the same man as the one who arrived in Australia in 1956 as a young 21 year old Sicilian guy’.

“Vale Franco. Foot-is-scray salutes you.”

Tributes also poured in on his Facebook page with many saluting a “Footscray icon”.

“And a living legend in the western suburbs, his memory and legacy will live on,’’ one wrote.

Franco Cozzo’s Lane in Footscray. Picture: Instagram

Mr Cozzo’s first shop was in North Melbourne and then in Northcote but both were to close as the Footscray and Brunswick stores became the backbone of his empire.

For 50 years he owned his Footscray showroom on Hopkins St before it was sold five years ago for $7m.

Two years ago Mr Cozzo told the Herald Sun he couldn’t go walking down the street without people stopping him because he had become such a household name. “They come to the store to have a photo with me. Everyday, everyday.”