Today the Pikes Peak community and people throughout Colorado will celebrate and mourn the life and death of Gerald “Jay” Cimino – a man who lived to put God, country, family and community ahead of himself.

Mr. Cimino died of natural causes at his home Feb. 24 at the age of 87.

In this country, we have a history of electing strong leaders. Yet not all leaders are elected. Other, such as Cimino, take on leadership roles as a responsibility belonging to anyone gifted with intellect, talent, high character and other components of success.

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A Colorado native, Cimino was born in Trinidad. After graduating from Holy Trinity Parochial School in 1954, Cimino graduated on the Dean’s list from the University of Denver, married Emily Roitz (who precedes him in death) and went to work bringing up the couple’s four children.

He worked his way up the management ranks at several car dealership before becoming the general manager of Phil Long Ford – consistently ranked among the top dealerships in Colorado and nationwide for volume, customer service and buyer satisfaction. After 49 years at Phil Long, Cimino retired as president and CEO in February.

He was awarded the 2012 Colorado Auto Dealer of the Year. He was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, Ford Motor Company Hall of Fame and the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association Hall of Fame.

If Cimino had only sold cars, loved his spouse and brought up four children, his life would have served society well. He did not stop there.

Cimino, always a loyal contributor to his church, played a major role in establishing the Marion House – a charity in Colorado Springs that helps people suffering in destitution to obtain food, shelter, clothing and hands-up assistance with physical and mental health conditions and addictions.

His millions of dollars in financial donations, and his offering of knowledge and insights, helped to establish 12 fantasy playgrounds, two skate parks and a football field. He supported youth education and sports throughout Colorado.

Cimino did everything within his ability to help his hometown of Trinidad through difficult times, including his purchase of Mt. Carmel, the church he grew up in. He connected it to a nearby music hall and created the Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center as a gift to Trinidad.

With the success of that nonprofit, he embarked on a project that helped make Colorado Springs among the best communities for military veterans to work, live, play and retire.

He founded the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, which offers veterans with various programs addressing health and wellness, family services, employment assistance and other support veterans need and deserve after serving the rest of us.

Because of Cimino, Mt. Carmel has been a success – so much so it has expanded to Pueblo, Fountain and Trinidad.

We lack space to list every contribution Cimino made to Colorado Springs and other parts of the American West. We’ll suffice to say he exemplified what one person can do by working hard, creating value for consumers, caring about others and seeing problems and working to fix them.

There’s only one Jay Cimino, and we should remember him. Long after his death, we hope others will follow Cimino’s lead with his infectious smile that showed a passion for doing what is right.

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board