Spiliotis was ‘always for the little guy’

PEABODY – Friends and colleagues registered shock as news of the death of Rep. Joyce Spiliotis spread, but they also remembered her warmly as a staunch ally for the underdog, a hard worker and a charismatic presence.”I don’t think she had too many enemies and if she did they weren’t enemies for long,” said City Councilor David Gamache.Spiliotis, a Democrat from Peabody, died Wednesday night after a battle with cancer. She was 65 years old.Gamache served on the council with Spiliotis “for a lot of years,” prior to her becoming state representative. He said he was surprised by her death although he knew she had been ill.Spiliotis’ family released a statement Thursday that read, “Joyce was a public figure, but a very private person. She fought her battle courageously in private, as she fought publicly for issues important to her constituents. This is a painful and personal time for us. We will have no further public comments, and appreciate the thoughts and prayers of all who loved her as we did.”Gamache called his former colleague a go-getter who always stood up for the minority.”And I don’t mean that in terms of race,” he said. “She stood up for people who were against anything. She would always stand up for the little guy. She’s going to be missed.”Peabody Mayor Edward Bettencourt said the city lost a true representative of the people with Spiliotis’ passing.”I have known Joyce as a caring friend and trusted colleague for many years,” he said. “As a city councilor and state representative, Joyce was a tireless advocate for her constituents. Her determination on their behalf was the hallmark of her career in public service – one which leaves a lasting legacy.”Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, who called himself a good friend of Spiliotis, said he was “crushed” by the news of her death and surprised that she kept it such a secret.Hill commuted from the North Shore to the State House with Spiliotis for many years but was unaware she was battling cancer.”She didn’t really tell anybody, which is a little surprising to me. She was so open and so frank in so many ways,” he said.Hill said they always had more fun on the way home from work.”She always had a laugh,” he said. “We would call her a card. She was always fun to be around.”Rep. John D. Keenan, D-Salem, also carpooled with Spiliotis and was also unaware of her illness.”She never even mentioned [her illness],” he said. “She was a fighter, a very nice person and as straight a shooter as there was – she would tell it like it is.”Former Lynn city councilor and school committee member Harry Coppola said he took a liking to Spiliotis the first time he met her.”She helped me during my first campaign for school committee,” he said. “She was a great, a very caring woman ? and a character, a real character.”Peabody City Councilor James Liacos said Spiliotis will always be known as “The People’s Joyce” rather than “The People’s Choice,” because she was always so involved “right down to the constituent level.”He said he attributes her longevity in public office to her grassroots approach.”She was quick to get back to people, she represented them well and she always stayed in touch with her constituents even when she got to the State House level,” he said.In a statement issued late Thursday morning, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said, “I was truly shocked and saddened to learn of the death of my good friend and colleague. Joyce fought passionately for the causes and people of Peabody. She was down-to-earth, funny and universally liked by her colleagues in the legislature as well as staff. All of us in the House of Representatives will miss her deeply.”Hill said when they drove together she always talked about Peabody, particularly the senior citizens of the city.”I think what we are going to miss on the North Shore is her dedication to this job. She loved that city, the people of Peabody,” Hill said.Born and raised in Peabody, Spiliotis lived in the Tanner City her whole life and served on the c