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Remembering Lou Piltz, longtime former city councilman and mayor of La Mirada.
Lou Piltz, a former La Mirada City Councilman and Mayor, died on Wednesday, March 20 at the age of 91.
Piltz was on the City Council from 1978 until 1994, and served three terms as mayor during his tenure on the official governing body for the municipality.
Lou Piltz was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 14, 1921, and moved as a young boy with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. Piltz met his wife, Sylvia, when he was a high school student working at the ice cream and soda fountain of Greene’s Drug Company in Ohio. They were married on June 14, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio in September of 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was stationed in many locations including Panama. Piltz proudly served five years as a serviceman. Before Piltz enlisted, he and Sylvia purchased new furniture in Cleveland. In an act of generosity and gratitude for his military service, the furniture company offered to store all their furniture at no charge until he returned from duty after the war.
The furniture company kept their promise for years. When he was discharged, they chose to move to Long Beach, California. The company shipped the furniture to California and paid the freight charges.
In 1950, he and Sylvia moved to Long Beach. In 1957, they moved to La Mirada and began what would become a long span of community service. Piltz was manager of the Hiram’s, then Lucky’s Store in the former La Mirada Mall. He developed that store into one of the most successful stores in the chain. He then was promoted to regional management with Lucky’s. He and Sylvia also operated the Orange Julius in the mall. While he was store manager, he was instrumental in setting up the distribution of surplus food to organizations serving the poor.
Piltz was on the La Mirada Planning Commission for four years then appointed to City Council. Piltz served on the La Mirada City Council for 14 years bringing a very special gift of bringing levity and laughter to public meetings and community functions. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the La Mirada Shopping Center Association, and the Theater Association. He was appointed to the City Council in 1978 and served until 1994. He served as Mayor in 1981, 1985 and 1990.
Following his retirement from the City Council in 1994, Piltz continued to be very involved in the community. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Senior Mentoring Program, Kiwanis Club of La Mirada, and Senior Net Learning Center. He used his knowledge of magic tricks to entertain anyone who would watch. He also enjoyed reading books in the City’s Tiny Tot programs. He was also very active with the Alzheimer’s Association doing volunteer counseling and raising funds. He was very active with Temple Beth Orr in La Mirada.
Piltz was best described as a person who enjoys people and finds comfort in helping others. La Mirada is fortunate to have had Lou Piltz as a dedicated community leader, volunteer, mentor, and educator.
To my former friend and mentor Lou Piltz….
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
Vaya con Dios mi Amigo…..Noel
I lived across the street from Lou and Sylvia in the 60’s. Lou hired me to work as a box boy when I turned 16. Lou was an amazing man who truly lived life to the fullest. He was a kind man who sincerely cared about people. He was a wonderful example and role model. I will never forget him. Thank you Lou for touching so many peoples lives. I will end by saying what I hope will be said about me… He was a good man.
Jim Martin