‘One of a kind’: Former state Sen. Biagio ‘Billy’ Ciotto dies at 91
Legislators, politicians and others across Connecticut Saturday mourned the death of former Department of Motor Vehicles deputy commissioner and state Sen. Biagio “Billy” Ciotto.
“Heaven will never be the same now that Billy will be holding court there (with an unlit cigar in his hand, of course),” U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1, said in an emailed statement Saturday.
News of Ciotto’s death came Saturday; he died in his Wethersfield home from “an extended illness,” according to the Hartford Courant. Ciotto was 91.
A former deputy commissioner for the department of motor vehicles, Ciotto served six terms as state senator for Connecticut’s Middletown area 9th district.
Larson said Ciotto “epitomized public service” and was the kind of person who communicated with people in a way that was “genuine, sincere, straightforward, and honest.”
“You never had to worry where Billy was coming from, he gave it to you straight. He was compassionate, understanding, [and] has probably helped more individuals in his life than any public servant that I can recall,” said Larson, for whom Ciotto had worked.
When Ciotto was honored by the Middletown Common Council in 2017, he told those gathered that his job was to “help those who can’t help themselves.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said in a statement Saturday that Ciotto “was a giant — as a public servant, a courageous leader, family man and friend and mentor to so many.”
“He was passionately dedicated to his community and state. Whether in the legislature, DMV or his town, he was all in,” Blumenthal said. “He shared generously and boundlessly — his wisdom and insights, his laughter and sometimes tears. He was a mensch. I was proud to have him as a friend. My heart goes out to his family.”
Gov. Ned Lamont said Ciotto was a “consummate public servant.”
Ciotto was “a legend who had an impact on countless lives, Connecticut is better for having had him serving on behalf of our state,” Lamont said in a statement.
“He was a champion for the people of Connecticut, dedicating over half a century to public service in numerous leadership roles,” Lamont said. “To know Billy was to love him, and as a state we couldn’t be more saddened by his passing. His life, upbringing, and dedication to making the lives of people in Connecticut better is something we should all strive toward.”
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said, also in a statement, that “Billy Ciotto was one of a kind.”
“He loved the rough and tumble of Democratic politics in Connecticut, his Italian heritage and his cigars — even though he never lit them,” Bysiewicz said. “The son of immigrants, he never forgot the challenges faced by those who were new to our country and always fought to lift up those working to achieve the American Dream. We will miss his humor, good nature and public service.”
State Sen. Matt Lesser, one of Ciotto’s successors in the 9th District seat, expressed his sadness over Twitter Saturday morning.
“Billy was one of a kind — a man of extraordinary charisma who cared passionately about our district long after he retired. My heart is with Billy’s family at this sad time,” Lesser said.
Ciotto is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Jeanne, as well as five children, and grandchildren. His family plans to hold a burial at a later date at the St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in downtown Hartford, according to the Hartford Courant, with arrangements made by the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel in Wethersfield.
“Leslie and I, and the entire Larson Congressional staff and families mourn his loss and extend our sympathy to Jeanie and his children, Maria, Julie, Anthony, Joe, and John,” Larson said.