Biagio “Billy’' Ciotto, a former deputy motor vehicles commissioner who became one of the most colorful state senators in a career that spanned seven decades in the state and federal governments, died Saturday at his home in Wethersfield after an extended illness. He was 91.

An old-school Italian Democrat who lived a full life, Ciotto was known for telling stories from his 12 years as a state senator, 42 years at the state motor vehicles department, and 14 years as an aide to a member of Congress. As word spread in recent weeks that Ciotto was gravely ill at his home, he began receiving telephone calls from Democratic political giants.