Former state lawmaker Joe Quilici is being remembered as a statesman and advocate for Butte. Quilici died Sunday at the age of 91. The Democrat served in the legislature from 1971 to 1999.
Former Lee newspaper statehouse reporter Chuck Johnson:
"It was a time when a lot of relationships were formed across party lines. Joe Quilici always was one who got along with everybody and really knew how to work the system and work with people to get what he wanted done."
Johnson describes Quilici as a traditional Butte Democrat to the core.
"Yup, Butte first. Not so much strong on environmental (issues), but pro-business. The entire Butte delegation, I believe, voted for utility deregulation – including Joe. That turned out to be a bust for Butte, but they didn’t think so at the time. He was a gentleman and well-liked and well-respected in the legislature."
The Montana Standard reports Quilici’s funeral services will be held this Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the Butte Civic Center Annex.
