Sal Ervolino said his car business is his higher calling.
“I guess [it is] really fulfilling my ministry,” Ervolino said. “I get a lot of satisfaction helping people.”
In part because some of his most famous clientele have a close connection to God.
“I get goosebumps talking about the cardinal,” Ervolino said. “I have so much respect and admiration for him.”
From New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan to any number of bishops across the country, Ervolino is there to get them a ride.
“We’re bonded forever,” Ervolino said. “I don’t just sell or lease a car and say good luck, see you in three to five years. Every customer that I have has my cell number and they can reach me and they do, for anything they need at any hour.”
But the call Ervolino will never forget is the one that came in 2015, when he was asked to take care of the Fiat that Pope Francis drove during his trip to New York City.
The car would later be auctioned off for charity.
“I personally drove the car with my hazard lights on going like 20 miles an hour because of the $300,000 that came out of the auction,” Ervolino said.
Most of Ervolino’s work at his business, named Trinity Automotive, after the Catholic high school he attended in Williamsburg, is selling, leasing, and servicing vehicles for clergy, religious orders, and Church institutions.
After 50 years in the car business, he estimates he has about 2,000 cars currently on the road.
The next challenge for Trinity Automotive is finding a successor. Ervolino said he’d eventually like to retire and wants to find someone to take over the business.
“It’s almost like another era in my life,” Ervolino said. “Although I’m kind of like in a twilight where eventually I have to start slowing down.”
But whenever Ervolino decides to step away he’ll leave with the greatest gift.
“Ticket to heaven?” Ervolino said. “No. a reward. Very positive feeling of the confidence and trust people have in me.”