1. Joe Bonanno & Bill Bonanno: Joe Bonanno, known as “Joe Bananas,” was one of the most powerful and respected Mafia bosses in the United States. As the founder of the Bonanno crime family, he ruled with an iron fist from the 1930s to the 1960s. Under his leadership, the Bonanno family became one of the most profitable and stable of New York’s Five Families.
His son, Bill Bonanno, followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a made man and eventually serving as the family’s consigliere. Bill, however, never achieved the same level of respect or influence as his father, and his involvement in the family business was marred by controversy and legal troubles. The Bonanno family endured internal strife and power struggles, particularly during the “Banana War” of the 1960s, a conflict within the family that eventually led to Joe Bonanno’s exile. Despite the challenges, the Bonanno legacy continued with Bill at the helm, albeit in a diminished capacity.
2. John Gotti Sr. & John “Junior” Gotti: John Gotti Sr., known as the “Dapper Don” and later the “Teflon Don,” was one of the most notorious mobsters in American history. As the boss of the Gambino crime family, Gotti became a media sensation in the 1980s, known for his flamboyant style and his ability to evade conviction despite numerous attempts by law enforcement.
His son, John “Junior” Gotti, was groomed to succeed him and was inducted into the Gambino family at a young age. Junior eventually became the acting boss while his father was incarcerated. However, Junior’s time at the top was plagued by legal battles, and he was ultimately indicted multiple times, though he managed to avoid long-term imprisonment. The Gotti name became synonymous with the Mafia in the public’s mind, and the father-son duo remains one of the most infamous pairings in Mafia history.
3. Santo Trafficante Sr. & Santo Trafficante Jr.: Santo Trafficante Sr. was the patriarch of the Trafficante crime family, based in Tampa, Florida. He established the family’s power in the mid-20th century, building strong connections with the Mafia in Cuba and becoming one of the most influential crime bosses in the southern United States.
His son, Santo Trafficante Jr., took over the family’s operations after his father’s death in 1954. Junior expanded the family’s influence, particularly in the lucrative gambling markets in Cuba until Fidel Castro’s revolution forced the Mafia out. Santo Jr. maintained a low profile but was rumored to be involved in various significant events, including the CIA’s attempts to rub out Castro. The Trafficante name was synonymous with power in Florida’s underworld, and both father and son played pivotal roles in shaping organized crime in the region.
4. Raymond Patriarca Sr. & Raymond Patriarca Jr.: Raymond Patriarca Sr. was the longtime boss of the New England crime family, also known as the Patriarca family, which controlled organized crime in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and other parts of New England. Known for his ruthlessness and business acumen, Raymond Sr. ruled with absolute authority from the 1950s until his death in 1984.
His son, Raymond Patriarca Jr., took over the reins after his father’s passing, but his tenure was far less successful. Junior faced numerous challenges, including increased law enforcement pressure and internal dissent within the family. The Patriarca family’s influence waned under his leadership, and by the 1990s, the family was severely weakened. Despite these struggles, the Patriarca name remains a significant part of Mafia history in New England, symbolizing both the power and the pitfalls of Mafia leadership.
5. Carmine Persico & Alphonse “Ally Boy” Persico: Carmine Persico, known as “The Snake,” was the long-time boss of the Colombo crime family. His reign was marked by bad things including his role in the infamous Colombo conflicts, a series of internal conflicts that plagued the family throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Despite being incarcerated for much of his leadership, Persico maintained control over the family from behind bars.
His son, Alphonse “Ally Boy” Persico, was groomed to take over the family business. Ally Boy eventually became the acting boss, but like his father, his time at the top was fraught withlegal troubles. He was eventually convicted of multiple crimes, including racketeering ensuring that he would spend much of his life behind bars. The Persico legacy is one of betrayal, a stark reminder of the brutal realities of life at the top of the Mafia.
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