Latest news with #VitoPerillo
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Jersey mayor Vito Perillo — the oldest in the U.S — dies at 100
Vito Perillo, the mayor of Tinton Falls, N.J., and known in life as the nation's oldest mayor, has died. He was 100. Perillo died Saturday night, the Asbury Park Press reported. He made national headlines in 2017, when he first ran for mayor at age 93, and again in 2021 when he was reelected. 'As a World War II veteran and mayor of Tinton Falls, Vito leaves behind an incredible legacy of service,' Gov. Phil Murphy wrote on social media. 'Our hearts go out to his loved ones and the entire Tinton Falls community.' Perillo was in the last year of his four-year term, and he previously stated he had no plans to seek reelection. After all, he turned 100 in September. 'I'm happy to be here, but I just want to be remembered for doing a good job,' Perillo told the Press last year. 'That's most important.' Born Sept. 22, 2024, Perillo served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, sailing on a troop ship in the South Pacific. Afterward, he took a civilian job at Fort Monmouth and worked for decades as a civil engineer. But in 2017, he decided to run for mayor of Tinton Falls, a 19,000-person borough about 35 miles south of Central Park. He said he was motivated to run after a pair of lawsuits against the local police department cost the town $1.1 million. He defeated the former police chief, Gerald Turning, in the 2017 election. 'I read his resume and his flyer about what he wanted to do. I said to [my wife] Pam, 'I really like this guy. He may only get two votes, but it'll be you and me.' And lo and behold, he wins,' borough council member Lawrence Dobrin told the Press. Perillo won the first election by about 300 votes and won reelection by around 750 votes. He was believed to be the nation's oldest mayor beginning in 2019, when then-Booneville, Ky., Mayor Charles Long died at age 99.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oldest mayor in the United States dies at 100 while serving second term in New Jersey
The oldest mayor in the United States died on Saturday night at the age of 100 while serving his second term in New Jersey. Tinton Falls Mayor Vito Perillo, born in 1924, served in the US Navy alongside his brother during World War II and worked as a civil engineer through his retirement. Still, he didn't let age deter him from trying new things — including running for mayor. In 2017, he was elected mayor of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County, NJ at the age of 93. His campaign was fueled by a vigor that made it almost impossible to believe the candidate was nearly a centenarian. He went door-to-door handing out thousands of flyers and walked so much during his time that he apparently wore through two pairs of shoes, according to a Tinton Falls spotlight on the late mayor. He beat out the incumbent mayor Gerald Turning by just over 300 votes. He was re-elected for a second term in 2021 at age 97, but quickly squashed rumors about a three-peat as he turned 100 in September — when he announced he would not be running again. 'They tell me I'm the oldest mayor in the country,' Perillo told after he was re-elected. 'I'm feeling pretty good, and I think everybody in the borough feels good, too. They were all happy for me this morning.' 'For the past eight years, he served assiduously, always striving for the people he represented,' Tinton Falls Borough Administrator Charles Terefenko wrote in a statement. 'To those who knew him personally, he was more than just a leader, he was a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration. His warmth, and love for the Borough, will never be forgotten.' New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also celebrated Perillo's dedication to his country and beloved community. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of our nation's oldest mayor, Vito Perillo, at the age of 100. As a World War II veteran and mayor of Tinton Falls, Vito leaves behind an incredible legacy of service. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and the entire Tinton Falls community,' Gov. Phil Murphy wrote in a social media post.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Tinton Falls Mayor Vito Perillo dies at age 100, New Jersey officials say
Vito Perillo, the mayor of Tinton Falls in Monmouth County, New Jersey, has died at age 100, officials say. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mayor Vito Perillo, a man of integrity, and a beloved member of our community," Tinton Falls Borough Administrator Charles Terefenko wrote in a statement. "Deeply saddened by the passing of our nation's oldest mayor, Vito Perillo, at the age of 100. As a World War II veteran and mayor of Tinton Falls, Vito leaves behind an incredible legacy of service. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and the entire Tinton Falls community," Gov. Phil Murphy wrote in a social media post. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Starting a political career at age 93 In 2017, Perillo was elected as mayor of Tinton Falls at the age of 93, defeating the incumbent mayor, Gerald Turning, by 300 votes. Prior to his election, he had been working as an accountant. At the time, he told CBS News New York's Cindy Hsu he was inspired to run after seeing neighbors struggle with rising tax rates. "I thought, I got to do something about it," Perillo said. He was elected to a second term in 2021, when he was 97 years old. "For the past eight years, he served assiduously, always striving to do what was right for the people he represented," Terefenko wrote. Perillo served in the Navy during World War II, alongside his brother, and later worked as an electronics engineer.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nation's oldest mayor Tinton Falls' Vito Perillo dies at 100
TINTON FALLS ‑ Mayor Vito Perillo died Saturday night, according to several members of the Borough Council. He was 100 and the oldest mayor in the United States. "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Mayor Vito Perillo, a dedicated leader, mentor, and cherished friend to so many in our community. Mayor Perillo's unwavering commitment to public service and his passion for improving the lives of our residents made him a cornerstone of our town, influencing countless lives with his visionary leadership and compassionate spirit," wrote Councilman Michael J. Nesci on his Facebook page. Born in 1924 when a gallon of gas cost 11 cents, Perillo, a World War II veteran and member of the "Greatest Generation," celebrated his 100th birthday Sept. 22. He made national headlines in 2017 when, as a 93-year-old World War II veteran, he decided to enter politics and defeated the borough's incumbent mayor and former police Chief Gerald M. Turning. Perillo, motivated to run by a pair of whistleblower lawsuits involving the police department that cost the borough $1.1 million in settlements, went door-to-door in that campaign, handing out more than 7,500 flyers. He was sworn in on a Bible that belonged to Mae, his wife of 64 years, who died in 2013. He won re-election in 2021 and was serving the last year of his four-year term. Since 2019 he was believed to be the nation's oldest mayor. The distinction was formerly held by Booneville, Kentucky's former Mayor Charles Long, who died that year at the age of 99. After Long's death, the distinction fell to Perillo. It's unclear who has the honor following Perillo's death. Nesci said during his time in office, Perillo was a tireless advocate for community development, and believed in the potential of every individual, tirelessly worked to create opportunities for all, fostering a sense of unity and hope within our community. His dedication extended beyond the role of mayor; he was a mentor to young leaders and a friend to all who crossed his path. "As we grieve this tremendous loss, let us also celebrate his legacy of kindness, integrity, and service. Mayor Perillo's impact will be felt for generations, and his example will continue to inspire us as we strive to honor his memory. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time," Nesci said. He added that a memorial service will be announced in the coming days. During his working career, Perillo was a civil engineer and worked at Fort Monmouth. He raised his two daughters in Tinton Falls. Today, he has four grandkids and seven great-grandkids. "To those who knew him personally, he was more than just a leader, he was a friend, a mentor and an inspiration," Business Administrator Charles Terefenko wrote in a prepared statement from the borough. "We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all who mourn this tremendous loss." It's not clear yet who will fill his seat. Risa Clay is the current council president. When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; dradel@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Tinton Falls NJ Mayor Vito Perillo dies at age 100
