Guy Cimbalo

Guy Cimbalo of Sea Cliff and Springs, who had a long career in advertising and the theater, died at his Springs home on Aug. 24 of congestive heart failure. Mr. Cimbalo was not one to share his age, and his family respected his wishes. 

Mr. Cimbalo had spent summers in Springs since buying a house on Norfolk Drive in 1972, and could frequently be found at nearby Clearwater Beach.

He was born in Utica, N.Y., to the former Rose Gagliardi and Santo Cimbalo.

Mr. Cimbalo attended Cornell University, returning every summer to Utica to join his father as an ironworker, constructing skyscrapers and bridges. After receiving a master’s degree in theater from Boston University, he moved to New York City, where he became the founding editor of “Theater Works” magazine in 1967. He also wrote two textbooks on lighting for the theater.

Mr. Cimbalo moved into advertising, first as a copywriter and later a creative director. During a career at McCann-Erickson, Marshalk, and J. Walter Thompson, he was the creative force behind Clio Award-winning campaigns for Goodyear, Chrysler (featuring both Lee Iacocca and Ricardo Montalban), Mennen, and many others. Under the pen name Guy Forve, he published two historical novels, “Ofanu” and “Alexander MacKenzie: Lone Courage.”

It was at Marshalk that Mr. Cimbalo met his future wife, Victoria Pisani; they would be married for more than 43 years. He is survived by his wife and their children, Guy Vincent of Brooklyn and Julia Barrett of Charlottesville, Va., and three grandsons.

Mr. Cimbalo’s funeral was held at the Whitting Funeral Home in Glen Head, with the Rev. John J. McCartney of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Roslyn Harbor officiating.

Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Springs Fire Department, 179 Fort Pond Blvd., East Hampton 11937.