Weather doesn’t hinder crowds from attending Cianci services

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

A crowd formed outside City Hall Monday morning as Buddy Cianci’s casket was carried down the front steps. Snowy conditions weren’t enough to keep people from seeing the former Mayor leave City Hall one last time and paying their respects.
 
"The change that he brought to the city… I have been down here for 30 years. I’ve seen a lot of change and we attribute that to Buddy," says Lori Spooner, who came out early to watch. 

Cheryl Robinson made the trek to City Hall early as well, as a ‘thank you’ to Buddy for not only revitalizing Providence but also helping her own family during his time in office.
 
"He is responsible for that skating rink, the malls, everything. The renaissance, scholarships… my daughter got one," says Robinson.
 
Over on Federal Hill, trucks carrying life-size signs drive by as a crowd gathered to see Buddy’s hearse drive by after the funeral. People stood out in the snow holding signs to pay their respects.
 
"Snow, rain, sleet, I’m here. Everybody else is here because they’re all liable, and they’re all with Vincent Buddy Cianci," says one man standing out on Federal Hill.
 
Buddy is an icon on Federal Hill, known not only for the work he did there as Mayor, but for dining at many of the restaurants after. Chef Walter Potenza set aside table 23 Monday in honor of Buddy. The now cooking school on Atwells Ave used to be a restaurant Buddy would often visit.
 
"Table 23 was a table that Mayor Cianci favored. He loved to be near the windows to see passerby, to see public, and people, and wave to them," says Potenza.
 
The turnout of people, despite the weather, just shows the impact Buddy had on the entire community.

"Oh, he will be missed. Love him or hate him, he will be missed."

© WLNE-TV 2016