Even After Death, Buddy Cianci Scores Political Points after State Flag Flap

PROVIDENCE, RI—Even in death, former Providence Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci Jr. is scoring political points.

On Friday, Governor Gina Raimondo told reporters after a press conference that she has changed her mind and will order the state flag lowered when the iconic mayor, convicted felon, talk radio host and political genius is laid to rest next month and over the weekend his body will lie in repose at Providence City Hall.

The Governor said that she changed her mind “after thinking about it a little,” reported the Providence Journal’s Katherine Gregg.

Raimondo reportedly said that she spoke with members of Providence’s delegation and learned that the state has lowered the flag for other mayors after some research.

Only the Governor can ordered the flag lowered.

“He held the office of our capital city for 20 years, and out of respect for that office, we’ve made this decision,” Raimondo said.

The change of heart comes after Raimondo said Thursday that she would not lower the state flags in honor of Cianci, indicating that the lowering of the flag at Providence City Hall was appropriate.

Her initial decision not to fly the flag was met with a bit of an outcry from many Rhode Islanders who spent time on Thursday reflecting on the life of the larger than life figure of Buddy Cianci.

Cianci, the longest-serving mayor of Rhode Island’s capitol city, held the job for 21 years in two terms that both ended in felony convictions for corruption. His death Thursday came just a few months after a failed campaign for mayor of Providence—a campaign in which he garnered 45 percent of the vote.

Cianci, who grew up in Cranston, is being honored in his hometown with lowered flags. Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung ordered the city’s flags at half-staff shortly after Cianci died at Miriam Hospital in the morning.

“Most Rhode Islanders, including me, our own Buddy story,” Fung said. “Most importantly, he touched many individuals and was always willing to give of himself to many worthy charitable causes. We will never forget his life fully lived. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.”

A funeral service will be held at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence on Feb 8 at 10 a.m.

Cianci will be buried at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston next to his late daughter, Nicole.