Former Providence Mayor Doorley Dies at 91
Monday, August 01, 2022
Former Providence Mayor Joseph Doorley has died at 91.
He was born and raised in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of the city, attended La Salle, and graduated from Notre Dame and law school at Boston College.
Doorley began a law practice before running for office — first serving on the City Council then running for Mayor as a Democrat in 1964.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDoorley served as mayor from 1965 to 1975. A the time of his election, at age 35, he was the youngest mayor in the city's history.
“He was a very good friend to me,” said former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino. “He was really the person that inspired me to get into politics. I met him when I was 10 years old. That’s 57 years knowing him.”
“How you see the city, the skyline — the Textron Building, South Main Street, South Water Street, Orms Street and the Marriott, Cathedral Square — that all of that was under him,” said Paolino.
“The Civic Center probably meant the most to him,” said Paolino, after it was voted down by voters statewide on a statewide bond referendum in 1968. “He got it passed in Providence.”
Doorley was defeated in the 1974 election by Republican Vincnent "Buddy" Cianci.
The Joseph A. Doorely Municipal building in Providence is named in his honor.
