Car dealer Al Piemonte dies at 83

Al Piemonte, the car dealer well-known in the Chicago area for decades as a result of his TV commercials in which he talked with constant double hand gestures, has died, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

Piemonte, who lived in Lake Forest, suffered pneumonia about a month ago and was hospitalized, his son Marco told the Tribune, but he had recovered and was allowed back home.

His wife, Rosanna, was at his side when he died, Marco Piemonte told the Tribune.

While Piemonte's Melrose Park dealership has been his base, he also has dealerships in Northlake, East Dundee and Crystal Lake.