Former Hollywood mayor Sal Oliveri dies at 90

May 02-- May 2--Salvatore "Sal" Oliveri went from straight-talking community activist to straight-talking Hollywood politician, taking a turn as both mayor and commissioner of the city he loved.

"Sal was the salt of the earth," Hollywood Commissioner Peter Hernandez said Thursday. "He was a great person. He was down to earth. He was approachable. He'd tell you how he felt. He did not hold back."

Oliveri died Saturday at age 90. A native New Yorker, he moved to Hollywood in 1960, serving on the city commission for nearly 12 years.

In 1990, he took on rival Mara Giulianti in the race for mayor and beat her by 500 votes. She got her seat back two years later, defeating him in the 1992 election.

Oliveri returned to the commission in 1998, where he served until retiring from politics in 2008.

"He was so proud of Hollywood and so dedicated to the well-being of residential neighborhoods," Mayor Josh Levy said. "A religious man, who trusted in God and fulfilled a true life of service to others."

Oliveri was born in Queens, N.Y., on June 11, 1928.

He spent 32 years working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and another seven years in the casualty insurance business before retiring.

After moving to Hollywood with his late wife, Maria, he made a name for himself as a devoted community activist.

He was president of the Hollywood Hills Civic Association, the local Kiwanis Club and the Interfaith Council of Greater Hollywood. He also served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at Nativity Catholic Church.

In late 2008, Hollywood named the new Veterans Park at 4701 Tyler St. after Oliveri in honor of his longtime service to the community.

At the time, Oliveri said he was truly humbled by the honor.

"I feel like it's a fitting final chapter to my loving service to the city of Hollywood," he said during the ceremony. "It means a lot to me to share this joy with so many of my neighbors, friends and supporters."

Oliveri is survived by three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A visitation is planned Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 6400 Hollywood Blvd.

The funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Nativity Catholic Church, 5220 Johnson St.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554. Find her on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan.

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