Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Served 10 years as mayor of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Attorney Oliver Addison Parker, former mayor of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, died Monday of complications from a brain tumor. He was 64.
“He loved this town dearly and was a fearless advocate for the residents,” said Scot Sasser, the town’s current mayor.
Mr. Parker was educated at Cardinal Gibbons Catholic High School and at the University of Miami, which awarded him a law degree. For nearly four decades he practiced criminal, family, real estate and municipal government law.
That background came in handy in the 1.5-square-mile town, where commission meetings were often combative and politically divisive.
When Mr. Parker wanted to retain Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue for professional emergency services, he was threatened with a recall effort led by supporters of the volunteer fire department. A judge blocked that effort. But lawsuits were filed by both sides and the volunteers’ supporters won seats on the commission. The volunteer fire department eventually resumed protection of town residents and property.
Voters apparently liked other things Mr. Parker did. A town commissioner from 1994-1998, he served as mayor for the next 10 years.
During that span, the town undertook beautification projects, developed the entrances to its beaches and annexed land that nearly doubled its size and stabilized its tax base, according to Robert Baldwin, city manager of Dania Beach.
“I think he did a lot for the town and is underappreciated,” said Baldwin, who was town manager when Mr. Parker was mayor.
After Hurricane Wilma hit the town hard at the end of October 2005, roads were scarred, trees were down and power was out. But Mr. Parker wanted the annual Halloween party to go on, which Baldwin called a “crazy” idea.
“He was insistent,” Baldwin said. “And it wasn’t even long ago that someone thanked me for that. I’ve had people tell me that for years, because it gave some sense of normalcy and celebration back to their children. And that was Oliver. He really loved kids. He was a wonderful man.”
Lorene Parker said her husband fought his illness for a year.
“He had a brain tumor that was very aggressive and grew rapidly,” she said. Mr. Parker bounced back after his first brain surgery, but recovery was slower after a second procedure.
“After the third surgery, he couldn’t take it anymore, the operations and treatments,” Lorene Parker said. “They just wore him down.”
She said her husband of 18 years favored ties with American flag designs and “loved Lauderdale-by-theSea. When he was mayor, he put his whole heart and soul in the town.”
Mr. Parker’s political resume includes election to the Broward Soil & Water Conservation District and service on the Hillsboro Inlet District; Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization; Broward County League of Cities and Florida League of Cities.
Though he had political success in his hometown, Mr. Parker was unsuccessful when he ran for Congress, for state representative — which he missed by just 12 votes — and in two bids for Broward County circuit judgeships.
“He loved politics,” Lorene Parker said of his campaigns. “He had a really thick skin and he kept trying. [Losses] didn’t really bring him down too much.”
Mr. Parker’s public service included playing Santa Claus at an elementary school, the town’s chamber of commerce, Kiwanis Club and other groups.
Mr. Parker is also survived by stepsons Patrick Hughes of North Carolina and Michael Hughes of Fort Lauderdale; a sister, Diane Torchia, of Orlando, and two grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be11 a.m. on Saturday at Assumption Catholic Church, 2001 S. Ocean Blvd. in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
There will not be a viewing; interment will be private. Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Parker’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.