Friends and family gathered in Center City on Saturday to honor the life of a man who left an undeniable mark on the city of Brotherly Love.
A memorial service was held for former Philadelphia Mayor and Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo. The ceremony took place at 12:30 p.m. at the municipal services building.
Rizzo died of a heart attack back in 1991. Saturday, July 16, marks the 20th anniversary of his death.
A wreath-laying ceremony took place at Rizzo’s statue in front of the services building to commemorate his life.
He remains the only mayor in Philadelphia’s history to have a statue erected in his honor.
A mass for Rizzo was also held at 5 p.m. at St. Monica Parish in South Philadelphia.
Rizzo served as the city’s Police Commissioner for four years before serving two terms as the mayor from 1972 to 1980.
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Both as commissioner and mayor, Rizzo was remembered as an extremely polarizing figure, having both loyal supporters and extreme detractors.
Despite his controversial image, Rizzo remains a larger than life figure that Philly will never forget.
