Buddy’s sister remembers him as a family man above all else

Buddy Cianci’s sister, Carol Turchetta, is on her way back to Rhode Island to mourn the loss of her younger brother.

She spoke with ABC 6 News via Skype on Friday on her way to the airport in Florida.

"I can’t believe it. I will certainly be missing him. I can tell you that,” said Turchetta.

Turchetta says Buddy has always had a one-of-a-kind personality. She describes for us what he was like in his younger years, growing up on Laurel Hill Ave in Cranston.

"He was pretty energetic. He would always have something going and always have a good plan if he wanted something he had a way, he measured it out and he knew out to do it,” said Turchetta.

As for Buddy’s start in politics, she says she can still remember when he first decided he wanted to run for mayor.

"It was a shock when he first said I am going to run for mayor in 1973 or 74. I thought oh my goodness really, but he did it,” said Turchetta.

Turchetta says that was Buddy, always setting out to do what he set his mind to.

"He had a dream. He pursued his dream,” said Turchetta. "It’s overwhelming. I just can’t even tell you I don’t even know all of the things that he’s accomplished."

But, beyond the politics and the headlines, Turchetta says Buddy was a family man at heart.

"He always put us first and we were always thinking of him even though we don’t see him so often,” said Turchetta.

Turchetta says down the line she’d like to look into building a library in Providence in the late mayor’s honor.

© WLNE-TV 2016