Buddy Cianci remembered on Federal Hill
By Ana Bottary, Kirsten Glavin
news@abc6.com
An empty table in the corner of the Old Canteen restaurant, not something you would normally see at the popular Federal Hill restaurant. It’s the table Buddy Cianci would reserve every time he would visit. It will remain empty tonight with a place setting for one in his honor.
"He sat there. Every time he would come, that was his table, that’s where he wanted to sit. We knew it, we would be doing it for 60 years here at that table," says Salvatore Marzilli, owner of the Old Canteen.
Marzilli says Buddy had a few favorite meals when coming, including a haddock Sicilian dish, lamb chops, and roasted veal. Marzilli says his relationship with Buddy stemmed from one he and his late father, Joe Marzilli, had.
"When Buddy started to get into politics, he began as a regular customer here with my dad. A real strong loyal friendship built between the two, my dad and Buddy. The friendship my father had with him–I lost my dad–and that friendship just rolled over with myself," Marzilli adds.
He says aside from being a dear friend, Buddy helped revitalize Federal Hill as a whole.
"He brought Federal Hill back 20 years ago, when Federal Hill was not the national attraction it has become. When Buddy was in office, his focus was on Federal Hill. Federal Hill was a family place," says Marzilli.
Other business owners and people on the "Hill" say Buddy will never be forgotten for his time there.
"When he was around, people wanted to be around him in good times, and in bad. Everybody wanted to be around Buddy. He was just a vibrant type of guy," says John Campagnone Jr.
"He was a great guy, very personable. He would come around and talk to everyone up here on the avenue. I think he did great for the city, made it what it is. He will be missed, he was a great guy," says Don Rose.
"He was getting ready to remodel the whole Federal Hill. He needed us to stand behind him and back him up make sure he was doing the right thing, and of course what else can you do then be there for him?" said Chris Morris.
Tributes for the former mayor are popping up all over Providence, but one area in particular is deeply feeling loss.
Tammany Hall, Buddy’s favorite cigar joint, was filled with many of his longtime friends.
"I’ve been his councilman for 11 years. I think the world of him, we’ve become close friends," said Councilman Sr. Deputy Majority Leader, Terrence Hassett.
"I remember going into his office and Buddy said to me, ‘what can I do for you little whipper-snapper?’" said one close friend.
They’ll remember Buddy as a visionary who was always in high spirits.
"He changed the city. This is the Renaissance city because of Buddy Cianci," his friend added.
"He had a love for this city that was so expressed, it caught me too," said Hassett.
"Buddy, we love you. We say goodbye… but we will never say goodbye. You’re still with us."
© WLNE-TV 2016
