Giannini: The Buddy I Knew
Joanne Giannini, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Giannini: The Buddy I Knew
Needless to say, it was an extreme shock to many in City Hall that infamous Tuesday night in November of 1974 when Vincent " Buddy" Cianci won the election becoming Providence's first Italian American Mayor. History changed that night and little did we know that Providence would never be the same. A sleepy Providence woke up that night and we didn't know it then but Providence was in for a big change.
Cianci defeated longtime Democratic Mayor Joe Doorley, who was expected to win reelection, by a mere 778 votes. In house Democratic party fighting paved the way for Cianci's victory. My office was on the third floor (which is now the Alderman chamber). Cianci had won and his transition office was placed in my office and I was directed to work for him.
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The first time he walked through the office door, I knew he meant business. He quickly stated that our office was much too beautiful to be used for an office and should be opened up for city events and public festivities.
Buddy, as everyone called him then, had a vision and his vision was for Providence to be America's best city. As he said so many times, "Welcome to the great City of Providence."
The transformation didn't happen overnight but the excitement, hustle and bustle did.
Buddy was a very visible Mayor. In and out of the hallways of City Hall, running up and down the steps and walking into all the offices, he had everyone in a whirlwind.
Walls came down, rooms were repainted and restored and City Hall was alive with activity.
I was working in his transition office then as a secretary and many nights Buddy was there till 10:00 or 11:00 pm. He loved being Mayor. He loved the workers, the people of Providence, and every challenge thrown his way. It was said that "He would go to the opening of an envelope" and he did. Every wake, wedding, communion, baptism or church event was put on his calendar. He never forgot a face, name or event. The people loved him and he loved being with people.
Cianci's Accomplishments
During my twenty seven years working in Providence City Hall I worked under four Mayoral Administrations; first Mayor Doorley, then Mayor Cianci, then Mayor Paolino and then Mayor Cianci again.
Mayor Cianci became the longest serving Mayor of Providence and certainly the most famous.
Whether you loved him or hated him, you had to admit he was a political genius. He could sit down at a table with a cocktail napkin and map out which wards he needed to win to be Mayor.
The mighty fifth ward, the powerful fourth, the strong seventh and the loyal thirteenth ward were his strongholds then.
I remember volunteering at fundraisers to work for his mother Esther Cianci. I would work at the door collecting tickets. Esther Cianci was gracious and classy lady. She always had a smile and would say "Thank you for helping dear." His fundraisers were so crowded that people had to wait in lines to get in. That was unheard of then and he started an era of political awareness where people actually knew who their Mayor was and they liked that.
The accessibility, the smile, the charisma and the quick Witt made him one of the most popular and likable politicians in the country. He accomplished the impossible in so many ways by showing others with a political dream they could win and beat the odds.
I certainly was one of those that learned from Buddy to follow my dream. I became a State Representative in November of 1994, twenty years after his first election. I was ahead by one vote on election night and after the absentee ballots were counted, I won election in the Mount Pleasant/Elmhurst Section of Providence by 33 votes and became the first woman and Italo American State Representative in my district.
During my tenure as a State Representative, I saw many accomplishments Mayor Cianci worked hard for to make happen. The Ice Skating Rink, Providence Place Mall, Water fire ,the renovations at Roger Williams Park and Zoo, Waterplace Park, the renovations at the Biltmore Hotel, the renovations and establishments of senior centers, school constructions, Lillian Feinstein Senior center on Chalkstone avenue, community centers, recreation centers, midnight basketball and swimming pools etc., all became a reality during his tenure.
The Providence Civic Center became the home of the Providence College Friars, Providence Bruins and various shows. Sonny and Cher, Frank Sinatra, Tony Orlando and Dawn,
Bob Hope and so many more visited Providence to perform. We saw the National Ice Skating Championships come here, hockey championships and Disney on Ice.
The Providence Performing Arts Center became the host of Broadway Plays such as the "Phanthom of the Opera," "The Nutcracker" and other famous plays. Providence bloomed from a little flower bud into a beautiful rose.
I have known Buddy Cianci, Mayor Cianci, the "Budeye", for over forty years. I have laughed with him, argued with him, and worked with him as a civil servant and as an elected official.
When I received the DaVinci center humanitarian award, Buddy was interviewed in a taped
documentary about me. He called me "Mother Teresa" with an attitude and had the crowd in a laughing roar. He was always tougher on me when I was a Representative because he knew me from when I was 19 years old. He interviewed me on the radio and would ask me questions to see if I had the answers. I learned from Buddy to always be prepared.
In his last run for Mayor, I served as his Volunteer coordinator on his campaign, we had over 1,000 volunteers who loved him. He was unsuccessful in his election, but he remained gracious and grateful for the opportunity to run.
Buddy's passing is a great loss to not only Providence but to the state. Buddy never stopped caring about Providence. And we will never stop caring about him. Rest in peace, Mayor.
Community Leaders and Friends React to Cianci's Death
Rick Simone, President of Consulting Group EGN
"It's one of those days you wish you had more time to prepare. It was 25 years of my life. I met him when I was only 17, as a young college kid to now, being able to call him my friend. He changed everything about Providence -- the landscape of the city and state -- without even trying.
Despite his personal and professional trials and tribulations, it didn't matter when he was your friend. Talk about lessons -- he was the king of loyalty, and he taught you what that meant. He said, 'You carry someone's bags to the end.' I teach my kids and my friends that -- I'll never forget where I was when he said it, why he said it. He had a way of lifting people's morale"
Ray Rickman, Former State Rep and Deputy Secretary of State
"It's what I've always said, Buddy was Providence's greatest mayor ever. Did he have some flaws? Yes. Doesn't everybody? No one should leave with, 'He was indicted and jailed'. Yes he did that, but please don't forget PPAC, Providence Place Mall wouldn't exist without him, that Capital Center wouldn't look like it did. I had a stick when I got off at the old train station because of the rats There was no Waterfire. I was a volunteer for 20 years at West End Community Center-- Buddy built four or five of them -- it wasn't all downtown. I was on the HRC, I had some problems with him there. He wasn't a perfect moral man, but who is? He has a hundred legacies."
Joseph Paolino, Former Mayor of Providence
"With this morning's passing of Providence's longest serving mayor, Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., the people of Providence and the City itself have lost its greatest champion. He gave his heart to Providence, and the city's energy and its very soul will always reflect his love and his brilliance in forging the Providence Renaissance.
Our thoughts and prayers are now with his family and his fiancée. As arrangements are made, more information will be released."
Beryl Kenyon, Former Cianci Campaign Staffer
"Everyone is heartbroken and in a state of shock. Everyone who was fortunate to have worked with him, and witnessed his magic, his brilliance -- are completely heartbroken at this time."
Photo courtesy of Facebook
John Lombardi, State Representative and Former Interim Mayor
"In some ways he was a visionary, and in some ways he could be feisty and adamant in his ways. I had my political issues with him, but at the end of the day -- I respected him. I feel bad for his family and his fiancee. I know the whole family. And Buddy and I had the same birthday - April 30."
Paul MacDonald, President, Providence Central Federated Council
"I just found out, my breath was taken away. We don't have enough time to talk about Buddy -- he was incredible guy, there will never be another Cianci. He was once in a lifetime. Him and I, we had a love-hate relationship for years. We'd fight from time to time, but yet we loved each other. It was almost romantic. We'd go through periods where we didn't talk to each other, and we both knew we wanted to. I've got hundreds of labor stories about him. He was rascal, he was my rascal. I remained friendly with him. Getting close to him was monumental task, but I'm one of the few who did."
Leah Reels
I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Buddy’s passing. I was truly honored to be selected by the Legendary Honorable Mayor Buddy Cianci, to serve as his Co-Chair along side Councilman Kevin Jackson. He was a polarizing figure to be sure, but I don’t believe there is anyone who did more for the city he loved. Providence is a far better place because of Buddy Cianci, and he will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, fiancé Tara Marie Haywood, and friends. He inspired me and mentored me in so many ways. He will truly be missed!
Ray Flynn, Mayor of Boston
"I will miss my long time friend Buddy Cianci. He was a great Mayor to the City of Providence. I just spoke to him the other day about family, politics and Friar basketball. I was proud to stand with him in good times and the rough days as well. He often called Joe Paolino and me his two most loyal friends; which I was proud to be called. His visits to Rome, and our many meetings when we were mayors we're very special. We remained close friends. He did a lot to help the people of Providence and he will be deeply missed.”
Artin Coloian, Former Cianci Chief of Staff
"He will be sadly missed. My heart breaks for his family. They've gone through quite a bit," said Coloian. "His accomplishments will live on."
Kevin Jackson, City Council Majority Leader
"I can tell you for me, and my interactions with him, he truly loved the city, he had a vision, and he got things done. We can debate that back and forth about his legacy -- but he pushed things through.
People forget about the positive stuff. People forget about the sacrifices -- your family gets hurt. You have that on your shoulders. You have to give up so much."
Stephen Day, Former Head of the Providence Firefighters Union
"I think that what he did for Providence will be his legacy. He gave his heart and soul to the city. He had his faults, as all humans do. No one can question his love for the city and his personal mission to make it better.
He will be missed, I knew the family well. Nicole had worked for me me. Her children, his sister -- it's got to be tough for them. You know like some families have matriarchs? He was the patriarch.
History will judge him more kindly now that he passed -- i hope he finds peace that we all hope to find someday. He was a smart guy, and witty -- I think his biggest downfall was that people saw much potential in him. He was a true genius."
Luis Aponte, City Council President
“Today is a sad day as our city mourns the loss of its longest-serving mayor. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Mayor Cianci’s shadow looms large over the City of Providence. His brilliant mind, charisma, passion, and love for Providence are woven into his legacy. “
Mark Curtis, Former ABC-6 News Reporter
"Buddy Cianci always talked about politicians needing to "have the fire in their belly" to run for public office. In April 2014 he got up on a chair at his 73rd birthday party, and gave one of the most rousing political speeches I'd ever heard. At that point, I knew he'd run for mayor, despite the cancer, and his colorful past. When he got up on that chair and at that age - in his medical condition - you just knew he still had "the fire is his belly" to run for office in the city so so loved - whether he ultimately won or not."
Darrell West, Brookings Institution
"Buddy Cianci was a larger than life figure who had a major impact on the city of Providence. He was the city’s biggest cheerleader when he was mayor and worked hard to push the area forward and renovate the downtown. A considerable part of Providence’s progress over the past few decades was due to Buddy’s vision and leadership. He helped the city get over the hump to a future that looks very promising.
The downside of Buddy was the behavior that led to his time in prison. That was a dark spot for him and the city as a whole. It produced lots of negative publicity for Providence and made it difficult to convince outsiders that the city had turned the page on its past. With Buddy, there always was the good and the bad sides."
Taft Manzotti, Former Providence Police Union President
"He was man of controversy and conviction -- that's what I'll remember about him. He had a vision of what the city wanted to be. I had both sides of him, he was a difficult negotiator, but he liked people who stood up to him. There ware many sides to Buddy -- and that's how I remember him, and of course I'll remember Joe Rodio in dealing with him."
Joanne Giannini, Former State Rep and was Volunteer Coordinator for 2014 Campaign
"I've known him for 40 years -- I knew how much he loved the city. I met him in '74 -- I was already working in City Hall, I was his secretary in the transition office. I was young, I was 19, he was 33 -- full of vision, ambition. When he came in, the city was asleep, and he woke it up.
I had worked in City Hall for 27 years and then I became a State Rep and did a lot of work for the district, we did a lot of good things together -- Waterfire, the building of Providence, really -- the skating rink, the zoo was nothing until he became Mayor. I worked this past election, we had 1,000 volunteers. He still had the same vision that he wanted to make Providence not better -- he wanted it to be the best. It's like an end of an era in Providence, there were so many supporters who valued his opinion. We laughed, he argued, we had that type of relationship...I just feel it's such a loss. He may have been have 74, but he was 33 at heart."
Joseph McNamara, Rhode Island Democratic Party
"The Rhode Island Democratic Party joins fellow Rhode Islanders in offering deepest sympathies on the sudden passing of Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci to his fiancée, family and colleagues.
His colorful personality, passion for living and dedication to all things political will long be remembered: his larger than life personality will be greatly missed.
Buddy Cianci was a true legend in Rhode Island, and he will leave a lasting mark on government, politics and his beloved capital city,"
Mayor Jorge Elorza
"Mayor Cianci's love for Providence was undeniable. My thought and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult Time.
City flags will be flown at half-staff as the City makes arrangements to recognize Mayor Cianci's memory."
Nicholas A. Mattiello, Speaker of the House
“We have lost a giant on the Rhode Island political landscape. Buddy Cianci moved the City of Providence forward with many impressive accomplishments. In his second career as a radio and TV host, he was an informative voice who engaged many Rhode Islanders in the political process. He will be deeply missed.”
