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 NJ.com 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.
