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Mays was 'gentle giant,' fellow TV pitchman recalls

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

Anthony Sullivan, friend and business partner of Billy Mays, speaks to reporters at Tampa International Airport.

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 29, 2009

TAMPA - Anthony "Sully" Sullivan's voice, so sure in infomercials pitching Smart Choppers and Swivel Sweepers, wavered when he talked about his friend Billy Mays.

"I never got to say goodbye to him," Sullivan told reporters this afternoon after stepping off a British Airways flight at Tampa International Airport. "It's a great loss for America and for the Tampa Bay community."

Sullivan, who co-starred with Mays in the Discovery Channel series "Pitchmen," said he's not certain whether Mays' family will host a memorial service in Tampa. He said the funeral for Mays, who was found dead Sunday in his South Tampa home, will be held in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

"But Tampa was a big, big part of his life," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he plans to visit Mays' family, asking reporters to "give them the privacy they need."

As the TV cameras drew a small crowd of onlookers, Sullivan said everyone was familiar with Mays and that there will never be another like him. To prove his point, he called out to a little girl sitting with her mother.

"Hey," Sullivan said, "do you know who Billy Mays is?"

The girl smiled and yelled out, "Mighty Putty!"

"Mighty Putty, you're right," Sullivan said. "He really loved what he did. He was a gentle giant in every sense of the word."

Sullivan said Mays often was in pain because of hip problems. Before the two stepped on the stage last week for the "Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien," Mays playfully punched Sullivan in the arm and told him to make sure he didn't walk with a limp.

"He lived in a lot of pain and he never wanted anyone to know that," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he plans to discuss with producers the future of Mays' infomercials, which are still running.

"We're not quite sure how we're going to handle that," he said. "But you'll see Billy on the TV tonight."

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

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