Former mayor Vincent ‘Buddy’ Cianci Jr. dies

(Updated 11:31 a.m., 12:24 p.m. and 4:09 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – Former mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. has died, according to news reports.
Cianci, 74, ran as an Independent candidate for the Providence mayoral election in 2014, losing to Jorge O. Elorza.
Cianci, who served nearly five years in prison on a racketeering conviction, was credited for the “Providence Renaissance” of the 1990s.
Cianci served as mayor from 1975 to 1984, and from 1991 to 2002. He was the city’s longest-serving mayor.
He resigned from office both times, first after pleading no contest to assault charges in 1984 and then in 2002 after being convicted on a federal racketeering charge.
As word spread about Cianci’s passing, several officials and a business leader issued statements, noting his impact on the city and role in its revival.
“My thoughts and prayers are with mayor Cianci’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. Mayor Cianci’s love for the city of Providence is undeniable and his mark on the city will not be forgotten,” Elorza said in a statement. “I have ordered flags at City Hall to be flown at half-staff as we make arrangements to recognize his memory.”
Joseph Paolino Jr., managing partner of the Paolino Properties who served as mayor between the first and second Cianci administrations, said in an emailed statement that the “people of Providence and the city itself has 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,” Paolino said.
Paolino, in a telephone interview, described Cianci as a “very dear friend.”
They started out as political rivals – “he would kid around that he and I were on a last name basis with each other” – but became friends over the last 10 years, brought together by an interest in economic development in the city, Paolino said.
“He was an iconic individual and, as a political leader, he was one that had the knack of being able to use theater and showmanship to help him push a progressive agenda through,” Paolino said.
Paolino recalled when Cianci, a Republican, Italian-American, was elected mayor in 1974, entering a political arena that had been dominated by the Democratic, Irish-American political machine.
“He was always fighting the political establishment. Even toward the end, he was fighting the political establishment. That’s why people liked him on the radio. He said what he felt. He had a little bit of Donald Trump in him. He also knew he was a controversial figure,” Paolino said.
Paolino said Cianci suffered political disappointments and personal tragedy, such as the death of his only child, Nicole, at age 38 in 2012. He said it was heartbreaking to see Cianci suffer that loss.
He described him as a doting grandfather to his three grandchildren.
He also said Cianci was humbled after he had to leave his position as mayor “under circumstances he wasn’t proud of,” alluding to his time in federal prison due to the racketeering conviction.
“He never stopped caring about the city of Providence,” Paolino said.

Paolino said Nardolillo Funeral Home in Cranston is handling the arrangements.

House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello said “a giant on the Rhode Island political landscape” was lost.

“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,” Mattiello said.
Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee also said he was sad to hear about Cianci’s passing.

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“The mayor lifted Providence up in many ways, overseeing its renaissance in the 1990s, and the capitol would not be the same but for him. I send my condolences to his family and friends,” McKee said.

City Council President Luis Aponte said “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,” Aponte said.

Councilman Terrence Hassett said he is in “deep sorrow.”
“For me, this is a great loss. He was a personal friend for many years, and I’m sincerely going to miss his counsel and his advice on the challenging issues we face every day in city government and city life,” Hassett said.
The Providence City Archives includes information about the first time Cianci was elected in 1974 at the age of 33; he became the city’s youngest mayor and first of Italian-American ancestry. Cianci beat out Democratic Mayor Joe Doorley in a tight race.

“The energetic Cianci, knowing he had to perform to survive in Democratic city, accelerated the tempo of revival,” the archives stated.
According to the archives, Cianci’s second administration, from 1979 to 1983, prompted growth, but also produced a major fiscal crisis.
“The deluge came in the form of an $11.43 tax rate increase plus a supplementary tax for the 1980-81 fiscal year. Providence bond ratings plummeted, and taxpayers cried for the mayor’s scalp. By mid-1982, however, a financial review commission, a vigilant City Council, a more fiscally responsible Cianci, the transfer of garbage collection and street-sweeping to private contractors, the sale of surplus city property, the state take-over of the sewer system and, especially the added tax money paid by the city’s property owners combined to put Providence back on course,” the archives stated.
In recent years, Cianci was known for his radio show on WPRO. Two months ago, he had what WJAR Channel 10 described was a “medical scare” during his portrait unveiling at City Hall; he said at the time he was “dehydrated” and had to sit down. A year ago, he told media outlets he was diagnosed with a “curable” form of cancer.
Cianci, who was divorced, announced his engagement to Tara Marie Haywood earlier this year.

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