He didn't listen to his friend/ a Gambino guy who advised him to stay away from the wake & get rid of the damn car. Don't approach them

His absence supposedly infuriated Victoria Gotti more and yes he did eventually try to apologise but it was abit late by then and he was thanked with a bat

Had he shown up from day one, cried his eyes out and begged for forgiveness (literally on his knees), turned up at the wake.... And shown he was remorseful (yes I know it was an accident) but your dealing with the Gotti's here.... Would they have spared him

Ok obviously we would never know but just a thought.... His connected friend gave him the complete opposite advice when he seeked him out. And we know Gotti initially didn't want to even hurt the guy... Only his wife did