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George II

(67,782 posts)
Sat Mar 20, 2021, 12:54 PM Mar 2021

Former Connecticut Sen. Billy Ciotto dies at 91; colorful lawmaker served 54 years in state governme

Source: Hartford Courant

Full Headline: Former Connecticut Sen. Billy Ciotto dies at 91; colorful lawmaker served 54 years in state government, including 12 in Senate

HARTFORD -- Biagio "Billy'' Ciotto, a former deputy motor vehicles commissioner who became one of the most colorful state senators in a career that spanned five decades in state government, died Saturday at his home in Wethersfield after an extended illness. He was 91.

An old-school Italian Democrat who lived a full life, Ciotto was known for telling stories from his 12 years as a state senator and 42 years at the state motor vehicles department.

As word spread in recent weeks that Ciotto was gravely ill at his home, he began receiving telephone calls from Democratic political giants. He took calls from former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, his family said.

He also spoke to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for 45 minutes about their Italian heritage, the recent federal stimulus package and the ongoing pandemic.

Read more: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-sen-billy-ciotto-dies-at-91-20210320-px4a2tx27zd7pdxqm4tl7skycy-story.html



More:

Ciotto had struck up a friendship with Pelosi through their mutual friend, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson of East Hartford. After retiring from the state Senate, Ciotto began working part-time for Larson as he rose to the fourth-highest spot in the U.S. House Democratic caucus and became a close ally of Pelosi. Ciotto traveled to Washington, D.C. at Pelosi’s personal invitation in January 2019 for her swearing-in as Speaker, which Ciotto called one of the biggest events of his life to see an Italian-American woman sworn in as the top leader in the House.


I didn't know him well personally, but spent many an hour chatting with him over the years. A really charming guy.

I was a delegate at a couple of his nominating conventions, and we attended a number of local fundraisers.

The amazing thing about him was, with all the people he must have known over the years, he always recognized me and called me by name.

A great guy and very popular all over the state and Northeast.
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Former Connecticut Sen. Billy Ciotto dies at 91; colorful lawmaker served 54 years in state governme (Original Post) George II Mar 2021 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author LetMyPeopleVote Mar 2021 #1
Thank you for posting this LetMyPeopleVote Mar 2021 #2
Very interesting. NurseJackie Mar 2021 #3
I didn't even know of the man and have tears streaming. "Only in America!".. n/t SheilaAnn Mar 2021 #4
K&R! nt TexasTowelie Mar 2021 #5
We just heard, Billy Ciotto's wife, also 91, passed away last week.... George II Apr 2021 #6

Response to George II (Original post)

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
3. Very interesting.
Sat Mar 20, 2021, 02:51 PM
Mar 2021
The amazing thing about him was, with all the people he must have known over the years, he always recognized me and called me by name.
I'm always impressed with people who can do that. (It's very flattering when it happens to me... it makes me feel special.)

I'm sure this is a big personal loss for Nancy Pelosi. I can certainly understand why Pelosi would become friends with him and would want him to attend her swearing-in ceremony.

George II

(67,782 posts)
6. We just heard, Billy Ciotto's wife, also 91, passed away last week....
Tue Apr 27, 2021, 10:41 PM
Apr 2021

My wife says probably from a broken heart.

They were together for about 70 years. God bless them.

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