July 16th marks the 20th anniversary of Frank Rizzo's death.
It seems appropriate that the Frank Rizzo statue in front of the Municipal Services Building is larger than life, because that's how so many Philadelphians remember the man who rose from beat cop to police commissioner to Mayor.
Frank Rizzo died 20 years ago Saturday.
The anniversary prompted not one, but two, wreath-laying ceremonies.
The first took place at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, where members of the GOP Motorcycle Club paid their respects; the second, in the shadow of City Hall, where those who knew him best shared their memories.
"He loved this city, and I think the city loved him," said Frank Rizzo, Jr. "How many people who have been dead 20 years have a string band, and how many mayors, he's the only mayor that has a statue."
"I always think back at how fortunate I was to have a brother like Frank," said Joe Rizzo. "He and I used to share the same bedroom, so we were pretty close."
"You could agree or disagree with Frank Rizzo," said former District Attorney Lynne Abraham. "But one could never deny that he had an impact on this city and that he was never dull."
But it wasn't only well-known Philadelphians who stood in the hot sun to remember Mayor Rizzo.
Jody Della Barba had been his secretary.
"He also reminded me of my father," said Jody Della Barba. "He was an Italian American, he was bigger than life, he had a loud voice, but he had the big heart to go along with it."
Diane Godette-Hyman worked for the Streets Department and her Mom worked for City Council.
"He used to talk to my mother. He used to tell her, 'Mabel, if I get in again, I will see to it that everything gets straightened out," said Diane.
And although Rizzo won the Republican Mayoral primary in 1991, he died before the general election that would've pitted him against Ed Rendell.
There are people who are eligible to vote now who weren't even born when Frank Rizzo died, but his legacy definitely lives on.
And Frank Rizzo was remembered Saturday night at a mass at St. Monica's Catholic Church at 17th and Ritner in South Philadelphia.
Rizzo attended St. Monica's from his childhood until the day he died 20 years ago Saturday.
