Auto industry pioneer and St. Louis native Frank Bommarito has passed away at the age of 88.
Sadly, on Monday, the 88-year-old former president of the Bommarito Automotive Group passed away.

Frank Bommarito, the company’s founder and a former president, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 in Florida.

The Bommarito website states that the legendary St. Louis business owner got his start in the auto industry in 1952 as a car jockey and washer at a local GM dealership. There, he worked his way up to the position of new and used car salesman, eventually reaching the number eight spot in retail sales for the entire country. After rising through the ranks to become the sales manager of one of Missouri’s largest GM dealerships, he received an Oldsmobile franchise in Ellisville, Missouri, from General Motors in 1971.

Since then, the thriving auto industry has had a profound effect on the greater St. Louis area, with dealerships springing up in Hazelwood, south St. Louis County, St. Peters, and Ballwin.

According to the organization’s website, there are more than 936 people working for the company.

John, Bommarito’s son and the current CEO of the automaker, took over the family business from his father in 1988.

Frank received his education at St. Mary’s High School and Washington University in St. Louis.

Frank Bommarito Wife

His wife, Lisa Bommarito, as well as his three children, Debbie, Tom, and John, and two stepchildren, Mark Strain and Allison Gwartney, will miss him dearly.

Details about Frank’s “Celebration of Life” will be shared soon.

Frank Bommarito Net-Worth

John Bommarito Net Worth is estimated to be $ 20 Million

Obituary

Frank Bommarito

NOVEMBER 17, 1934 – JANUARY 2, 2023

IN THE CARE OF

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

Frank J. Bommarito passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2023, at the age of 88 surrounded by his beloved wife Lisa and devoted children and family.

Born November 17, 1934, in St. Louis, MO Frank attended St. Mary’s High School and Washington University. Starting his automotive career at McMahon Pontiac, he would undercoat cars and worked as a car porter and car jockey. He served two years of active duty in the US Navy, at the same time receiving a Golden Glove award for boxing. Upon his return from the Navy, he continued his career at McMahon Pontiac in 1954, eventually working his way up to sales and then management at Vincel Pontiac. Ultimately, his dream of being a new car dealer became reality in 1971 as an Oldsmobile dealer in Ellisville, MO. Today, the Bommarito Automotive Group, led by his son John and his over 1000 hardworking team members, continues to instill Frank’s incredible legacy both in their work and throughout the entire St. Louis community. Serving as Missouri’s # 1 Auto Dealer, The Bommarito Automotive Group proudly stands at #14 of Missouri’s privately held companies and ranks in the top 50 auto dealers in the country.

Frank’s life and career is the true example of the American dream. He took his famous “Where Price Sells Cars” campaign, as the voice of the company, from a single-point Oldsmobile dealer in 1971 and continued to grow the family automotive business to its now 20 franchises with locations in every St. Louis neighborhood. Frank’s heartfelt generosity touched the lives of everyone he met. Above all he was most proud of giving people a job. He believed “giving a person a job was the best thing you could do for someone”. Quite the accomplished Gin Rummy and Poker player, he enjoyed his weekly gatherings with the group he cordially referred to as his “Cronies”. Frank would become a self-author of his own weekly full-page column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for over 10 years, which he started during the 2008 recession. He often wrote about his life experiences as they related to business and the economy, always making sure he made mention of his hometown and personal life events. In 2015, he was recognized as the Time Dealer of the Year for continuously giving back to his community and was proud to have his alma mater named in his honor as St. Mary’s High School on the Frank J. Bommarito Campus. Born and raised and doing business in Missouri for over 50 years, his legacy will forever live on, not only as one of St. Louis’s most prominent automotive legends, but through every life he has touched and every person that was impacted by his hardworking attitude and remarkable vision.

Frank is survived by his wife Lisa Bommarito; three children, Debbie (Raymond Rowland III), Tom (Carly Brendel), and John (Ashtin Bruere); two step-children, Mark Strain (Barbara Ballard) and Allison Gwartney (Jeremy); thirteen grandchildren, Lauren Bader (Adam), Raymond “Teddy” Rowland IV, Thomas Rowland, Marissa Rowland, Christopher Leisure (Rachel), Taylor Unger (Charlie), Macee Bommarito, Beau Bommarito, Blake Bommarito, Keatyn Gwartney, Olivia Gwartney, Roman Strain, and Beau Gwartney; eleven great-grandchildren; and his beloved dogs, Sinatra, Deano, Bishop, and Pavé.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Jeanette Bommarito; sister, Angela Wiese (Harry); and former wife, Patsy Bommarito-Morell.

Thanks for reading from Ghsplash a news publishing website from Ghana. Share this article, For spelling mistakes and other related issues contact us