During the 1950s-1960s era, each of the following men served, at one time or another during that time frame, as the underboss of their respective NYC Family.

The question is, of the five notorious mafiosi listed below, in your opinion, which one was the toughest and had the most deadly reputation in New York’s underworld?

A) Anthony “Tony Bender” Strollo (Genovese Family)

B) Aniello “Neil” Dellacroce (Gambino Family)

C) Carmine “Lilo” Galante (Bonanno Family)

D) John “Sonny” Franzese (Colombo Family)

E) Stefano “Steve” LaSalle (Lucchese Family)

Franzese was in jail far too often, I’d say Dellacroce since Galante was jailed then taken out by his own men. Seems to me Dellacroce was respected and feared way too much to even consider taking him out in my opinion. But, u less you’re only asking about NY Joey Lombardo would be in the discussion as well.

Dellacroce and Galante, and even though they are not on the list, Phil Alderisio and Jack Cerone.

Ok. fair enough guys. Those are two logical opinions and choices, IMO.
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But of all the members on this entire forum, you mean to tell me that since I posted this question up here this morning, only TD and majicrat had a thought about this and cared to voice their opinion? Thats almost incredulous to me. Lol

Because I posted the same exact question, at the same time this morning on the MFC community page and over 600 viewers have offered their opinions about this already.

Frederico Randacci is another pick.

Dellacroce or Galante for me. Both extremely dangerous and feared

I agree with a few guys here - Dellacroce and Galante. i think Neil had longevity as UB over Galante so I will go with him.

But both were feared.

Neil was more respected across the 5 boroughs.

Wasn't it not until 1967 or so that Galante’s went away for 12 years or so? If that's the case, he had the 1950s and most of the 60s to carry on unmolested.

Never mind, it was 1962 that he was sentenced to 20 years but he only served 12, if Wikipedia is right.

Thats basically correct. Lilo served 12 years of his sentence and was paroled around 1974 or so. Then he began his climb...until he got whacked out.

I’m going with Carmine Galante…..

Lilo. Not listed but Aiuppa would be my #1 or #2.

For me the deadliest and feared,even if isn't on the list, is Anthony Casso, so feared and evil that the alias in fbi files was Lucifer and the feds even after made a deal with him preferred to change idea and re-send him in jail.

Just got done reading 4 the 3rd time that book by Phillip Carlo & although I know the book is filled w/ BULLSHIT what it does leave me w/ is a fear of Gaspipe...he was a truly DANGEROUS MAN..

Anthony Casso is the definition of a true gangster to the core. Cross him once you are a dead man walking. No second chances, and no buying your way out of it. He's rolling over in his grave looking at how the mob is today.

In fairness, he ratted in pretty horrific fashion...

We are talking about the 1950s-1960s era, no?

Tony Bender was involved in a lot of hits from an very early age.

"Anthony Casso is the definition of a true gangster to the core?" What? You're kidding me right RushStreet? Lol. To me, Anthony Casso is the epitome of a true RAT to the core! What gangster to the core? What you should have said is that he was a homicidal, narcissistic degenerate to the core! Who, I might add, would kill a guy in a heartbeat if he even dreamt that that guy was talking (which Casso actually did on more than one occasion. Kill innocent guys for nothing after having a dream the night before that the guy was no good, or was gonna be no good down the road.) What man in his right mind does that? (I'll answer my own question - NO ONE!)

He was completely heartless. Robbed everybody and anybody and destroyed many many families (of so-called friends and foes alike without a care.) And as soon as he got nailed...what did he do?

He immediately became an informant....in seconds I might add! (if not sooner.)

Casso had absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And with 36 murders under his belt, I'd consider him to be more of a serial killer, than a goodfella. He was a raving lunatic!

And, he was a piece of shit!

What’s your source that Galante and Franzese were underboss? I’m aware Michael claims Sonny was UB, but I’m pretty sure this is actually a myth. Same with Galante, Bonanno says Johnny Morales was his “second” meaning UB

In October 1957, Bonanno and Galante went to Palermo a month before Apalachin at the time Galante was a consigliere.

Raab, Selwyn. The Five Families: The Rise, Decline & Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empire. New York: St. Martins Press, 2005. Page 112

Are there FBI files or informants that report this? Raab’s book was good, but he made a ton of mistakes.

Lol.... I'll say Tommy Luchesse under Gagliano....

Galante... because it literally took the Commision to hit him. Dellacroce was probably the most respected, but I don't know about his wealth. Was he said to be really wealthy?

Gerry Anguilo? The Boston guy? He had money right?

Does Fat Tony count? Under Chin?

To put it in proper context.... the family’s ACTUAL underboss, Marangelo, right? He himself deferred to Galante...

This means nothing. The underboss was John Morales, it doesn’t matter who had more power, that’s debatable, there is a structure to LCN and we can’t just put guys in random places based on their power.

A question I always had, was how was Dellacroce beat to a pulp by the Gallo faction in LUNA restaurant in 1961 on Mulberry St, how come there was no retribution . anything ?? from what I read, he was beaten (hospitalized) at least some response.

Maspablo, all I will say in regards to that is, "do yourself a favor, and don't believe everything you read."

FWIW, this is what the NY times had to say, “Joseph Gallo sought out Dellacroce and, finding him in the Little Italy section, punched him in the eye. But Gambino did not order any punishment for Gallo for striking his underboss be cause Dellacroce had breached Mafia tradition in siding with Profaci.”

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ButtonGuys now provides our thoughts about the question above as well as our viewpoints...(I also give the reasoning behind why we chose who we did.)
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In my opinion, although each was dangerous and could be deadly in his own way, it depends upon what type of "toughness" we're discussing, what category of "toughness."

For instance, not all of them were necessarily physically tough guys. As far as that category goes, there is no doubt that Sonny Franzese was both physically fit, extremely tough with his hands and a good street fighter. So I'd have to rank him #1 in that particular category, without a doubt. I suspect that back in his youth Dellacroce was as well, and possible Galante also.

As far as "mental" toughness goes, again I'd probably go with a Franzese, Dellacroce and Galante, who, to me at least, all seem "mentally" tough. I pick Franzese and Galante because, Sonny did close to 40 years in stir, and Galante did 20 or more in stir over several bids. Thats no cakewalk fellas. Especially doing 40! Thats more than the others served all combined together. I add Dellacroce to this mix because although he didn't do heavy time, he just seems to have been a very focused and strong-willed individual.

As far as deadly goes. Well, all of them were. But as far as having been actual "shooters" themselves? Guys who picked up a gun, knife, or garrotte, and used it? Over and over as was ordered of them by their Family bosses? Once again, Galante, Dellacroce, and Franzese take that one too! Strollo probably pulled a few triggers back in his day. La Salle, as well, for that matter. But neither of them had the reputations of being deadly "stone killers" and assassins the same way that Galante, Franzese, and Dellacroce did. Thats a well established fact!

No doubt Strollo, and probably La Salle, ordered plenty of hits. But as far as them, personally, getting their hands dirty? Neither is in the same category as Galante, Franzese, or Dellacroce.

So there ya have it fellas. ButtonGuy opinion on the subject at hand.