Uncle was in his wedding.
Mom and pop knew him well.
Mom said he was always very respectful and nice to her and generous with money if you needed help.
He was also a ruthless killer and gangster.
Go figure.
The worst thing you can ever do is get “connected” to a mobster. Anyone around them is fair game. A friend got a job at a Sicilian pizza joint. When he figured it out, he left town. Even working at a place owned by one is trouble.
“He was also a ruthless killer and gangster.
Go figure.”
From my far off perspective the mob guys wore several suits, cultivated multiple personalities.
They looked and acted like successful business men in public and were gracious and kind to others.
Then in their inner circle they were the bloody monsters who decided who lived and died, sometimes on a whim.
Al Capone was a ruthless ass but many common people loved or respected him because he operated free soup and sandwich shops during the depression.
Others just flat feared him.
Lucky Luciano could be ruthless as well. Just ask Dutch Schultz.
Luciano founded the Commission and brought the mob into a more modern business concept.
Lucky looked out for business when he was at the top but got to the top by being the baddest dog on his block.
Still, there is something about the old time mob leaders that fires the imagination.
The mob guys seem so contradictory.
That was one of the most fascinating obituaries EVER. I read the highlights out loud to two people here this morning.