A local legend dies. I can remember watching him one night in the late 60's after a Penguins Game-
Victor "Vic" Cianca elevated the work of a traffic cop to a choreographed art, captivating local motorists for 38 years with his comedic repertoire of gestures.
He belonged to Pittsburgh, but he was beloved by a nation; he was a favorite on "Candid Camera" and had a minor role in the 1980s classic "Flashdance."
When he reluctantly retired, his signature white gloves were placed on display at the Allegheny County Police Academy.
Mr. Cianca, of Brookline, died Sunday. He was 92.
People far and wide enjoyed his theatrical antics -- and his balletic calm during traffic jams. Motorists who regularly encountered him brought him gifts.
"I used to drive in every morning, and I'd make a point ... to go by and wave to him," said former Mayor Sophie Masloff. "Everybody came from all over to watch him direct traffic."
Mr. Cianca used as many as three limbs at once to hurry people along. When someone drove too slowly, he would rest his cheek in his hands, miming sleep. If a driver tried to explain away a traffic violation, he played an imaginary violin. He took slow, silly bows, blew his whistles so hard they quit and wore his white gloves so often that he earned the nickname "Gloves."
The son of two Italian immigrants, Mr. Cianca was born in Pittsburgh in 1918. He graduated from South Hills High School and went to work in a steel mill before joining the Navy during World War II.
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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10026/1031115-122.stm#ixzz0didFsRMN
1 comment:
In the 1960's, I lived in one of the apartments at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Atwood Street in Oakland. This was about a block from Forbes Field where the Pirates played. Vic was often assigned to this intersection to speed up traffic either going to or from the Pirate's game. I would watch him perform for hours, it seemed, from the window of my apartment. What a treat! I am very sorry to hear of his death, and hope to see him again directing traffic on streets of gold.
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