Everyone standing in front of the East Greenwich Police Station hushed when the flashing lights of police motorcycles crested the incline on First Avenue at Kenyon Avenue. The funeral procession for Gianna Cirella from the St. Kevin’s Church in Warwick to Quidnessett Cemetery in North Kingstown was passing by.
Police, firefighters, town employees, elected officials and residents – many clad in Gianna’s favorite color purple – stood silently as police motorcycles and cars from communities ranging from East Providence and Newport to Burrillville and Milford, Mass. And, of course, East Greenwich and Warwick. East Greenwich, where Gianna’s father, Skip Cirella, serves as deputy police chief and Warwick, where the Cirella family lives.
It took several minutes for the entire procession to pass, with its more than 80 vehicles.