I was reading Wisguy by Nicholas Pileggi the other day (on which Goodfellas is based). One name got my attention.

It mentioned that Angelo Ruggiero was a member of Paul(ie) Vario's crew. Paulie was a Capo in The Lucchese Family.

However, The Rise and Fall of The Gambino Family, which I finally skipped for it being awfully boring, also mentioned that Angelo Ruggiero was a member of The Gambino Crew that was controlled by DeCorce (however it's spelt) and Johnny Gotti.

Can anyone confirm if this is the same Ruggiero and of which Family he was a member???

Everything what i've seen or read of Ruggiero, he's with the Gambino's. I've often seen him with Gotti plenty of times. He's the big bulky guy who talks alot isn't he.

Maybe he has some association with the Lucchese. BUt what i've just thought. Most what I know of Ruggiero with the Gambino's is in the 70's and 80's. Wiseguy is around the 60's/70's isn't it and may well be linked with both families. If not he could be a totally seperate person.

added to the question: In 'Donnie Brasco', Donnie's a friend of Benjamin "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero. related?

No, it says in the book that Pileggi met Henry Hill for the first time (to start writting the book) around May 1980.

But you're probably right that Ruggiero was with the Gambino family being the Nephew of Decroce ( how do u spell it?)...Maybe he was around the same district as Paul Vario...

Lefty? I have no idea...

I wrote what I meant wrong. I said Wiseguy around 60's/70's but now that I realise my mistake I should have said the story of Henry Hill with the Lucchese family around 60's/70's. I've never read Wiseguy, but one day mean to.

I think it's Dellacroce.

[ October 11, 2001: Message edited by: Turi Giuliano ]

Oh I see. Yeah that's right. He was into "being a gangster" from late 50s to late 70s...

I have to say the book is really really great. I can't remember enjoying any other book like that apart from The Godfather and Maybe The Sicilian...

Thanx for the spelling mate.

Plenty of Ruggiero's around.

no.1-angelo ruggiero,a soldier for the vario
crew in the 70s not a made guy.

no.2 angelo(fat ange)ruggiero,gambino captain
boyhood pal of john gotti,was caught on tape
talking about a drug deal(read boss of bosses)died of cancer,gotti called him quack quack,he didnt know when to shut up.delacroce
was angies uncle,also known as mr.neil

no.3-benny(2-guns)(lefty)and(horse-cock)ruggiero,small time made guy in the bonano
family,killed a made captain so his crew could run their section of little italy on mulberry st.killed over 26 people,died in jail,quoted as saying if i ever get out(jail)of here i will kill that donnie.

Whooha, there is a new "friend of ours" on board...Thanx eddie.

Whooha, there is a new "friend of ours" on board...Thanx eddie.

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GRAZZI'underboss,