Paul Sansone Sr., of Sansone Auto Mall, dies at 90

On the Dash: Paul Sansone Sr. grew a used-car lot into Sansone Auto Mall, a 65-acre, nine-franchise operation in Avenel, New Jersey.

Paul Julius Sansone Sr., Founder of Sansone Auto Mall and a longtime New Jersey Automotive Retail Leader, died at the age of 90 on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, after a courageous struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Sansone built a six-decade career in automotive retail, beginning with Ford’s National Auto Mart, a modest used-car lot he opened 65 years ago.

In 1967, he earned his first franchise dealership, General Toyota, and later developed Sansone Auto Mall, a 65-acre property in Avenel, New Jersey, that became home to nine franchises.

He is survived by his children, Dominic Sansone (Gay), Paul Sansone Jr. (Christine), Dean Sansone (Robyn), Gia Lucas, Nicole Del Tin (Mark) and Jeffrey Sansone (Sophia); his daughter-in-law, Kathy; his sister, Carol; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.