Radio host, mayor, convicted felon Vincent 'Buddy' Cianci Jr. dies at 74

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the wisecracking political rogue who presided over the revitalization of Providence during two stints in office cut short by criminal charges and a prison sentence for corruption, died Thursday.

Former Providence Mayor and ABC6 Chief Political Analyst, Buddy Cianci, was rushed to Miriam Hospital Wednesday night after experiencing severe stomach pains. Cianci was in the middle of taping his weekly show, ABC6 News On the Record with Buddy 

Former Providence Mayor and ABC6 Chief Political Analyst, Buddy Cianci, was rushed to Miriam Hospital Wednesday night after experiencing severe stomach pains. Cianci was in the middle of taping his weekly show, ABC6 News On the Record with Buddy 

“I think they broke the mold with Buddy Cianci,” said former Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., a political opponent-turned-friend. Love him or hate him, Cianci was by no means a “milquetoast” politician, Paolino said. “He had friends, and he had foes,” he said.

“I think they broke the mold with Buddy Cianci,” said former Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., a political opponent-turned-friend. Love him or hate him, Cianci was by no means a “milquetoast” politician, Paolino said. “He had friends, and he had foes,” he said.