Posted on 02/01/2010 10:24:55 AM PST by NYer
I think that anyone over the age of forty remembers Vic Cianca even if you don't know it. Vic Cianca was that traffic directing cop from Pittsburgh who did all those crazy and entertaining moves. Cianca's moves became famous in 1964 when Alan Funt surreptitiously filmed him for Candid Camera.
Cianca passed away January 24th at the age of 91. May he rest in peace.
What people who remember him may not know is that Vic Cianca was a man of faith, a Catholic, and his famous routine developed from the sign of the cross.
His son, the Rev. Vic Cianca, vicar general of Assyrian Church of the East, said his dad's unique style of using his whole body to direct traffic came naturally.Cianca is great example of how we can bring the joy of our faith to our work, no matter what it is.
"We're Italian, and we're very Catholic," he said. "Dad would always make the sign of the cross whenever there was a problem. He'd do the same thing while directing traffic."
That simple sign of the cross evolved into a far more involved — and entertaining — act played out every rush hour on Downtown streets. Cianca recalled watching his dad work busy intersections, waiting for crowds to gather, and then proudly telling onlookers: "That's my dad."
St. Paul of the Cross monastery, where his funeral will be held.
“His son, the Rev. Vic Cianca, vicar general of Assyrian Church of the East, said ... “we’re very Catholic,”
Assyrian Church of the East...very Catholic?
I’m just saying.
Pre-dates the Latin Church. Remember christianity began in the east and spread west. It was in the city of Antioch that Peter served as bishop before going to Rome. It was also in Antioch that the words "christian" and "catholic" were first used.
This Italian Catholic from Pittsburgh remembers him as a kid even before he was famous. May he enjoy a chipped ham sandwich, Iron City Beer and Isaly’s Klondike Bars in heaven.
I know Christianity started in the East.
I remember him! You can not see how good he was from the video. I was working in the business district around 1959
and nearly every day at rush hour at one of the busiest intersections he was out there directing traffic with his choreographed graceful way of keeping the traffic moving smoothly. May he rest in peace.
Thank you for the post and ping! It's an honor to have a member of the "greatest generation" here in the forum :-) Do you plan to attend the funeral?
People younger then Social Security age might know him better from a two or three minute scene in “Flashdance”, where Jennifer Beals studies and mimics his moves.
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