Like many Johnston residents, Mayor Joseph Polisena was “deeply saddened” when he received word last week former Providence Mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci had passed away at 74.
As a show of respect for a fellow mayor – a man Polisena first met when he served in the Rhode Island Senate, and Cianci was Providence’s sitting mayor – flags at Johnston Town Hall were ordered flown at half-staff.
Polisena also used the town’s digital sign to send out a two-part message that read: “Mayor Buddy Cianci, Rest in Peace.”
“We’ve been inundated with people commending us for putting that message on our marquee,” Polisena said Tuesday. “Buddy had his faults, we all have our faults, but he did a lot for the city of Providence and its people.”
Polisena – who was a frequent guest on Cianci’s popular radio show – recalled June 8, 2013, when the late mayor visited Johnston’s Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library for a question-and-answer session that kicked off the Summer Reading Program.
“Buddy’s popularity surfaced once again back on that night,” Polisena said. “I personally couldn’t believe the people who turned out for that night. There was not a seat to be found, and as usual, he was vintage Buddy and talked about his life. He admitted he made mistakes and didn’t shy away from answering any question.”
Polisena continued: “Buddy was always fair with me when he was mayor of Providence, and later when he had me on his popular radio show. He asked me some tough and difficult questions, but he was always fair.”
The Johnston mayor spoke highly of Cianci’s achievements while in office.
“He was totally responsible for the renaissance of Providence, there’s no doubt about it,” Polisena said. “He had a vision for Providence, and Providence I think was his family. I’ve known him for years. When I was a senator, he would come up there and lobby us. Especially he wanted the Providence Place Mall, and there were some other issues he wanted.”
When Polisena received a call informing him of Cianci’s passing, he said: “I was shocked. I knew Buddy was sick and had been for quite some time. Even when he came to speak at our Sister City signing with the mayor of Panni, Foggia, Italy last spring, Buddy was frail and didn’t look himself. Yet, his passing is still a shock.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” Polisena added. “His memory and many, many outstanding accomplishments will forever be remembered.”
(Tim Forsberg contributed to this report.)
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