Frank Bommarito

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 (Alyssa Frayne), 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.

Contributions made to St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School are appreciated; www.theworkisours.com

SERVICE: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 17th, 10:00 am at The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd.; St. Louis, MO 63108

Please leave a memory of Frank for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.

Livestream for the Funeral Mass- link below

(https://cathedralstl.org/liturgy-sacraments/livestream)