HOWELL - Mike Cuzzo did not want to just pump gas for customers at Wawa, he wanted to make them smile.
Being personable and asking how their days were going went a long way, Cuzzo said, but he thought he could do more.
So he put on the tuxedo he proposed in and went to work.
After receiving positive feedback from customers and his employer, he added props to his work ensemble, including champagne glasses on a serving tray, a clown nose, goofy glasses and pink knee-high socks.
"I go out of my way to treat people like family, to try to be creative and to try to bring smiles to their faces. That's what I'm all about," said Cuzzo, 52, of Brick. "The things I do, I do because I care."
Cuzzo said it was this desire to make people happy that got him fired from Wawa.
Cuzzo, who was a field manager for Wawa, regularly used a squirt toy that shoots out water by making it appear that a boy is urinating. He got the idea to use the prop after taking his two daughters to a hibachi restaurant where the toys are commonly used.
"I thought it was fun. I used it to clean the windshields and rearview mirrors. Usually people enjoyed it and requested it. In fact, it broke once and people started asking 'Where's Pee Pee Man?' So I had to order more," he said. "Unfortunately, the reason why I was fired is because one person didn't like it."
Cuzzo said he was using the toy on the sideview mirror of a car on Thursday and the driver did not mind, but a female passenger "leaned over, saw it indirectly and didn't like it."
He said that he apologized to the woman, but she still filed a complaint.
"About an hour and a half later, I was called in and released," Cuzzo said. "I was shocked."
Lori Bruce, a spokeswoman for Wawa, told NJ Advance Media that the company would not comment on the details of Cuzzo's "separation" from the company out of respect for him.
"Our associate was with us for several years, known and esteemed by many of his customers," Bruce said via email Friday. "We treasure the special connection that our associates have with their customers and communities -- it's a big part of the Wawa brand and experience. That's why we understand the outpouring of support around his departure. "
The news of Cuzzo's firing drew a prompt and tremendous response.
A post on the "Our Howell N.J." Facebook page announcing Cuzzo's firing has more than 1,500 likes and 1,300 shares since Friday. Approximately 800 people joined the group "Bring Back Mike! No Wawa Until Mike Is Back!" in two days. And an online fundraiser had raised $270 as of Saturday to help Cuzzo while he is out of work.
"Getting gas is a very mundane task, but Mike would go out of his way to make you smile. He'd be dressed up, dancing and telling stories just to make you smile," said Bill Broach, 26, of Jackson, who started the GoFundMe account. "I think it's terrible that Wawa would fire an asset like this, who did way more than the average person to boost the morale of the customers and the town."
Dozens of Cuzzo's former customers and coworkers protested outside of the Wawa on Route 9 on Sunday morning in support of him. Dozens more honked their horns or stopped their cars to express their support as they passed by.
"Even if you were having a bad day, he kept everybody happy. He was like the guy at a pep rally, a one man cheerleading squad," said Tom Martino, of Jackson, a former coworker of Cuzzo's. "And seeing how he worked with the customers, it made you want to work harder. Because it wasn't about money or anything like that, it was about making connections with the community and making people happy, and he was great at that."
Howell resident Cheryl Einsiedler said she took part in the protest Sunday morning because she "wanted to support a great guy."
"If you were down, he'd brighten your day. He made a little heart out of a dollar bill once and put it on my dashboard and said: 'Here, this is for good luck,'" Einsiedler said. "When I heard that he was fired, I just pictured his face being sad and thought that that wasn't right, because Mike isn't a sad guy."
In addition to the support, Cuzzo has received several job offers.
"I have a lot of experience. I have college degree in finance, was the project manager for a construction company, I've owned my own financial planning business since 1997, I've worked for John Hancock, First Union Back and Allstate, so I have a pretty good resume," said Cuzzo, adding he started working for Wawa after leaving Allstate and signing a non-compete. "I'm a hard worker, but for me it was all about the people."
Cuzzo said the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming.
"I meet people every day and don't really know them, except maybe saying hello or knowing their name. So I didn't really know the kind of impact I had on people until now, and I'm emotional about it," he said. "What can I say? My customers appreciate me more than my employer. That's a sad thing."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.