A full house greeted the unveiling of Lou Cirillo’s official portrait last Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Burnside Building.

Master of Ceremonies Tony Teixeira, who served as both Town Administrator and Councilman during Cirillo’s 16-year tenure, gave credit to Fran O’Donnell for spearheading the effort.

“She did a wonderful job,” he said. “And here we are today, this is the product of those efforts and it is certainly appreciated.”

The unveiling of the portrait was met with exclamations of admiration for the work of Rhode Island artist Harley Bartlett. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Barlett’s work has been on exhibit in New England Galleries for over 30 years.

His paintings may be found in many Rhode Island institutions and organizations, including Rhode Island College, Bryant University, Women & Infants Hospital, Newport Hospital, South County Hospital, Aquidnick Land Trust, Kent County Hospital, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Rhode Island Philharmonic School, the New England Institute of Technology, The Providence Art Club, the State of Rhode Island, the City of Providence, the Amica Insurance Company, the East Greenwich Yacht Club, the Warwick Country Club and the Harvard Club, as well as countless private commissions. He and his work have been featured in publications including American Artist Magazine, Florida Architecture, Traditional Home Magazine, Home Gallery (R.I. and S.E, MA.) and recently Soundings Magazine.

His commissions to paint official portraits include those of Governor Donald Carcieri, Providence mayors Buddy Cianci and Angel Tavaras, and Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, among others.

After the unveiling, Town Administrator Steven Contente stepped up to say a few words, recounting his early days as a newly-minted Administrator. Pacing and stressed out about one thing or another, he would visit Cirillo’s office late in the day after everyone else had gone home and, greeted by the same smile depicted in the portrait, he would feel a bit more calm about things.

“That was his expression, the whole time,” said Contente.

“I think you appreciated every day in the office and you gave it your best. You enjoyed being there,” he said to Cirillo. “And the good thing is we are still enjoying what you do — we follow your cooking recipes, we enjoy your photos on Facebook, we like the idea of you enjoying yourself with Susan down in Naples. There are certain individuals in the town that really stand out and they give Bristol the strength that we have, and that’s you.”

“I really wanted to see the sneakers,” said Council Chairman Nathan Calouro, of Cirillo’s reliable footwear choice. Calling Cirillo a resource of knowledge, Calouro noted, “There’s a lot of people that can do that, but few have the capability and willingness to take the time with mere mortals like us to explain. You'll ask him about history and he doesn't just know the who and the what, he knows the why.”

“I think it was that willingness, to take the time with people — It was his love of doing the job. Lou, you are so important to us and having this on the wall in Town Hall will be an honor. Thank you.”

“Lou has done quite a bit for the community,” said Teixeira, citing a resume that includes the School Committee and Town Council, and serving as the Executive Director of Linden Place as well years of private sector work.

Cirillo himself was the final speaker. He thanked the assembled admirers for being there, especially his family, including his wife Susan and grandson Brendan, as well as his fellow Town Clerks from neighboring East Bay communities, several of whom were in the audience.

“This is kind of both a beginning and an ending,” Cirillo said. “The tradition of the Town Clerk portrait began in 1908. But I resisted having this done for a variety of reasons, and probably the most significant one is that I didn't want it to be over. And this kind of means that it is.

“Through all the good and bad times — and they were lots of both — it was still the best thing that I ever did in my life,” he said.

The story of the likeness itself was significant, As Cirillo told it, when he finally agreed to do the portrait and O’Donnell had secured Harley Bartlett, O’Donnell suggested he go sit in Bartlett’s studio. Cirillo resisted.

“I’d already been retired for four years,” he said. “I don't really look the same anymore. I've changed. I wanted it to be something that was real and of the time.”

Fortunately he had a photo that Melanie Wolfe took of him on Dec. 7, 2020, the afternoon of his last day on the job. “She came in the office and she said ‘smile’ and the next thing I knew it was on Facebook,” Cirillo said. “But I love that picture.”

In it, Cirillo is wearing a white oxford shirt, like he did almost every day. He has a Covid-era lanyard for all the new security that was installed in Town Hall in 2020.

“The sweater was my father’s,” said Cirillo, his voice breaking.

Cirillo, who said his desk was never clear, noted the state of the desk in this portrait.

“At this point, everything was done,” he said. “The desk was clean and polished. It was shiny and if you look at the photograph, it's empty.”

“That didn't happen, in almost all of the 16 years. There were always piles of stuff — but at that point it was done,” he said. “And I guess maybe, I was done.”