Barrie philanthropist Paul Sadlon Sr. dies at 93

The oldest General Motors dealer, who spent 60 years in the automotive business, passed away on the weekend.

Barrie lost a business and community icon this weekend, as Paul Sadlon Sr. passed away as the age of 93 years old.

The news broke on Saturday evening. He spent 60 years in business as a General Motors (GM) dealer, and he was the owner of Paul Sadlon Motors on Bayfield Street.

His extensive tenure in the automotive industry made him both the youngest and oldest GM dealer in history, as he developed Paul Sadlon Motors into a top three Canadian GM dealership in terms of annual new car sales.

His name alone has become synonymous with Barrie and Simcoe County. The Barrie Molson Centre became the Sadlon Arena after the city approved a 10-year, $1.7 million naming rights offer from the dealership in 2019. ‘You’re entering Paul Sadlon Country’ signs can be seen on many major routes entering Barrie, and the Georgian College Sadlon Centre for Health and Wellness also bears his name.

“He was an incredibly generous man who supported so many local causes from conservation to Georgian College to (Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre), and local hockey,” said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall in a statement to CTV News. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sadlon’s family at this time.”

“My condolences to the Sadlon family and everyone who Paul thought of as family at Paul Sadlon Motors,” said John Brassard, Barrie South – Innisfil MP, in part of his social media statement. “With all his success, Paul never forgot how it happened. He knew it came as a result of his customers and employees and always with a deep sense of appreciation, he shared in that success by giving so much back to the communities he, his family, his employees, and his customers lived.”

Paul Sadlon Sr. is survived by his children Jan Daly and Paul Jr. and his grandchildren, who always had a special place in his heart.