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Mariano Rotolo was the founder of Rotolo Chevrolet in Fontana. He was a local Business Man living and doing business in Fontana since 1929. At the age of 19 his Father passed away and Mariano became responsible for his Mother and four younger siblings.
He became a Wholesale Produce man selling produce to the local grocery stores and as the years passed the Grocery Chains. His business grew and by 1942 He started Rotolo Bros., a Wholesale Produce Business.
He always had a love for cars and opened a used car lot across from Eddie Malone Chevrolet with his friend on Foothill Boulevard in Fontana. The Friend passed away, the Chevrolet store closed; General Motors came to Fontana to interview local Businessmen in town that would be interested in becoming a Chevrolet Dealer. GM felt if they had a Franchise owner who lived and believed in the community they would have a Successful Chevrolet Dealership in Fontana. Well, Mariano was one of five local businessmen interviewed. In 1970, Mariano signed to become the Chevrolet Dealer in Fontana. Rotolo Chevrolet opened for business at the closed location on Foothill across from his Used Car Lot in May of 1971.
Mariano loved his community and the people in it. He was very active in the Fontana Rotary Club and was a past President. Mariano loved to sing and dance, it was not unusual to see him moon walking on the showroom floor. He became known in the Inland Empire as the “Singing Car Dealer” For many years he was one of two tenors in the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera.
Mariano led his fellow Chevrolet Dealers participating on an awards trip to Paris, France in singing our National Anthem on stage at the Moulin Rouge. He was a Proud American and loved to sing the Chevrolet Jingle, Baseball, Apple Pie, Hot Dogs and Chevrolet.
In 1981 Mariano asked his daughter Marie to give up her career in another industry and join him. Marie joined Rotolo in 1982 and started learning the business. Mariano solely owned and operated Rotolo Chevrolet until September 1995. At that time Marie purchased stock in the corporation and became the Dealer Operator of Rotolo Chevrolet. Marie purchased land and built a New Facility.
In August of 2006 Rotolo Chevrolet opened for business in its current location.
Mariano Passed away in July of 2006 and did not have the opportunity to see the New Facility. |
