I think any conversation about who was the wealthier boss, or who was the stronger boss, is larger a pissing contest without merit because both Bonanno and Profaci were extremely powerful bosses in their own right. You gotta remember that both of them were "original" bosses set in place by 1931-32 and they were both top members of the "Commission."
Each of them controlled their own borgata for upwards of thirty years. NO OTHER NYC FAMILY BOSS CAN SAY THAT! None! Not Genovese, Gambino, or Lucchese. A thirty year run for Profaci that only ended because he succumbed to cancer. Otherwise he'd have still remained as boss for the duration of his lifetime. Thats power! At their traditional peak the Profaci Family was allowed about 150 soldiers by Commission dictates, while Bonanno's limit reportedly topped over 200-250 men. Bonanno fucked up, but he too was a much revered boss for over three decades who ran a crew even larger than Profaci.
Neither of them is to be sold short. Some think Profaci was a bad boss and was greedy. Among certain troops he was. But among others he was beloved. Like all bosses. But his besmirched "reputation" by the media is largely a fiction because of the belly-aching of the Gallo brothers who were still wet behind the ears (having only been "made" less than five years before they revolted). They were jerkoffs who thought they were entitled to more than they were entitled to. Upstarts who created a lot of havoc that disrupted Cosa Nostra....But it doesn't make them right!
Profaci; He had extremely close ties to the Zerilli Family of Detroit (another powerhouse); very close ties to both the Joe Cerrito Family of California and to Ray Patriarca Family of NE (he represented both those families on the Commission); ran multimillions-dollar food and olive oil importing firms that became national in scope; dress factories, extensive real estate portfolio; interests in many other businesses too numerous to list here; had close ties back to Villabate, Sicily where family members were drawn from, etc. Boss from early 1930s-early 1960s. Etc., etc.
Bonanno: Very Close ties to ALL Castelammarese based families throughout the U.S. and Trapani; Sicily. Represented several families on the Commission; ran multimillion-dollar cheese manufacturing and distrubion companies in the U.S. and Canada; dress factories, extensive real estate portfolio interests, held interests in many other businesses; had close ties back to Castellammare del Golfo; Boss from early-1930s-mid 1960s. He was allowed to retire (a rarity in that life). Etc., etc.
Believe me when I say that it's like trying to split hairs to debate who was better (or stronger).
Lastly, remember too that Profaci and Bonanno were very close to one another and comprised a formidable "team" so to speak. NOBODY was challenging them when they were together. It was only after Profaci's death that other Commission member looked to finally usurp Bonanno's power...thats saying something no?
