Alfredo Olivari, born and raised in Buenos Aires Argentina, passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2010, surrounded by his immediate family at the Elizabeth House.
Prior to moving to the Hendersonville area, Alfredo made his home for the majority of his life in New Orleans. He first came to the United States after a career as a Foreign Diplomat, representing Argentina. Alfredo, once in New Orleans, had a brilliant career as the proud owner of “Alfredoís Cameras”; a landmark camera business situated in downtown New Orleans. He was constantly educating his many loyal customers in a wide variety of personal interests; from photography to European race cars. He was known to many as “The Maestro”.
He was a proud American citizen by choice and also along with his surviving spouse, Susan Olivari, raised their two sons; Mark and the late Alexander Carlos Olivari while living in New Orleans. He moved with his wife, Susan, to the Hendersonville area in 2007 and enjoyed the community and its beautiful surroundings. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, Alexander William Olivari.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; his son, Mark; his daughter-in-law, Susan; his grandchildren, Marco, Jessica, Jacob and Isabella Olivari and his step-grandchildren, Clayton and Chloe Conklin.
A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.
I only today learned of Alfredo’s passing some 2 years ago. I am saddened at this news. Many years ago in New Orleans, Alfredo introduced me to the higher echelon of precision cameras and sold me my 1st Hasselblad. He was indeed a caring and passionate man and to this day I cherish those opportunities to discuss photography, cameras and world events in his fine shop on Gravier St. Rest ye well dear Alfredo, and may your family be comforted in the memories of your life.
Forest, Virginia
I knew Alfredo from his camera store in New Orleans. He was an icon in the city with a passion for superbly crafted cameras and optics, and of course cars. At times irascible, at other times immensely compassionate, and always passionate, I always enjoyed visiting his store and the chance to listen to him to talk about Leica cameras and lenses. I too moved to Hendersonville a year before Alfredo and am very sad to learn of his death, and never had the chance to see him since he closed his store.
Mark and Susan, So sorry for your loss.
I met Mr. Olivari during his brief stay at the Laurels of Hendersonville. He was a fascinating man. I enjoyed listening to all his amazing stories about his life. Stores about all the places that he had lived, and about the things that he had done during his life. A added bonus was that he told all of these stories with a delightful accent. He seemed to have really soaked up enjoyment out of life, and out of his family which he was clearly very thankful for and proud of. My thoughts and prayers are with you. He seemed to be an amazing man, and I am sure he impacted many lives in a positive manner.
He always made me smile. I will miss the story’s that he always told me.