Maine auto icon Jolly John dies
Former auto dealer John Pulsifer, recognized statewide as Jolly John, has died of pancreatic cancer.
Pulsifer died Saturday at the age of 74, less than six months after selling his Saco Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership and retiring, according to the Portland Press Herald. Pulsifer began his career in the auto dealership industry in 1958 at Mill City Chevrolet in Biddeford, and eventually owned six dealerships before bankruptcy forced him out of business in 1991. Two years later, he returned to the business with the Jolly John Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Saco. Pulsifer came up with the nickname in 1976 while working as manager of the Atlantic Motors Ford dealership in Saco, and became known for his advertising tagline, "I'm not Jolly unless you're happy!"
In September, Pulsifer told Mainebiz he was planning to spend more time with his grandchildren in his retirement and potentially reenter the auto industry. According to the Press Herald, he had planned to open a used car dealership before he fell ill.
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