Former Providence Mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci passed away Thursday morning after being rushed to Miriam Hospital in Providence for severe abdominal pain at 7:45pm Wednesday.
Cianci was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
In November, during his portrait unveiling at City Hall, Cianci felt dizzy and left in an ambulance.
He was the longest serving mayor in the history of Providence.
Former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino, close Cianci confidant released a statement:
“With this morning’s passing of Providence’s longest serving mayor, Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., 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. As arrangements are made, more information will be released.”
Ray Flynn, former Mayor of Boston, stated “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.”
Initial plans call for a public viewing for Cianci February 6th and 7th at Providence City Hall with a funeral Mass on February 8th at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. The former mayor will be buried at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston.
This story has been updated
