Maine News Updates

Ival "Bud" Cianchette, co-founder of the Cianbro Corp. construction company in Pittsfield, died Thursday evening after a battle with liver cancer. He was 83.

He was one of three Cianchette brothers who pooled their wartime savings after World War II. Those savings became the capital with which Carl, Ken, and Bud incorporated a new construction firm named Cianchette Bros., Inc., the forerunner of Cianbro Corp. The company now has 2,500 employees and has over $450 million in annual sales.

Cianchette was a prominent horse owner, and former member of the harness racing commission. Cianchette owned a farm in Pittsfield and converted stalls in his barn to house horses. Then he installed a half-mile training track behind the barn.

During the recent Cumberland Fair, Cianchette was honored for his contributions and support to its harness racing program. His fight with cancer caused him to give up his horses and retire from racing.

Cianchette is survived by his wife of 57 years, Priscilla Winslow Cianchette, his daughter Susan Koch, and his four sons, Thomas, Earle, Mark and Peter.

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