In the many books I have read, referring to a don is a matter of respect. don umberto [albert Anastasia] don pepino [joe bananno] don carlo [carlo Gambino} don tomasino [Thomas luchesse] don vitone [vito Genovese] all these dons were called don, it was their title.

and soliders and capos referred to them as such.


" watch what you say around this guy, he's got a big mouth" sam giancana to an outfit soldier about frank Sinatra. [ from the book "my way"