HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Ernie Salvatore, whose career as a writer, editor and sports columnist in Huntington spanned nearly 60 years, died Friday. He was 87.

Salvatore died at his Huntington home, The Herald Dispatch newspaper said.

The native of Greenwich, Conn., worked for The Herald-Advertiser and later The Herald-Dispatch. Herald-Dispatch Executive Editor Ed Dawson called Salvatore a mentor to generations of journalists.

In April 2008 the press box at Marshall University's football stadium was named in Salvatore's honor. Interim athletic director David Steele said Friday Salvatore was a part of the Marshall family.

Salvatore had a role in the 2006 Warner Brothers film "We Are Marshall," which chronicles the university as it copes with a 1970 plane crash that killed most of its football team.

Salvatore's character was played by actor Mark Oliver.