I’ve met many colorful characters during my lengthy tenure in the New England news media. Some wore white hats, while others – ah, not so much.
People come. People go. Some are forgettable. The legendary live on forever in memories, especially if they had memorable nicknames.
Rhode Island’s Colorful Characters
Some of the best legendary characters with memorable nicknames I encountered over the years were in Providence, Rhode Island. Start with the longtime mayor of Providence, Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci. Everyone referred to Cianci as Buddy, including his fellow inmates.
The former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet, affectionately known as “Atilla the Nun,” was a member of the Catholic order Sisters of Mercy before exchanging her habit for the chief prosecutor’s chair…