After rewatching season 6 when he gets shot by Junior and miraculously survives that ordeal, I have come to the conclusion there is no possible way his body would have been able to survive an attempted hit on his life in the diner. Even if he wasnt killed instantly they would have lost him at the ICU.

Your thoughts?

Junior shot him in the gut in a state of delirium. This was gonna be a professional hit. He's not making it to the ER, let alone the ICU. He's leaving the dinner covered on a stretcher going to the coroner's office.

Where do you think they would have shot him? In the head or elsewhere? Remember the kids and Carmela were at the table and the last thing they want to do is put them at increased risk of being shot.

I picture him being taken out like JFK was. A quick gunshot to the head and he plants face first into his plate.

Also since we are on the topic of conversation, who orders the hit and why?

Although I believe that Tony wasn't killed in the final episode, for purposes of discussion,let's say he was.
My prime suspect for ordering the hit is Butch DeConcini.
Even though he played nice at the sitdown in which the OK to whack Phil was given,I never trusted the little weasel.
After Phil's death, I'm pretty sure that he was made new Boss of the Lupertazzi's.
I think he figured that with Tony gone,and nobody really left but Paulie,he could easily absorb all of the Soprano's businesses and effectively end that Family.
Paulie was a true, tough street guy, but way too emotional (and nuts) to be a Boss.
As far as Tony getting whacked in front of his family,it may have been payback for Phil getting it in front of his wife and grandkids.
Just my 2 cents worth. Whatta you guys (and gals) think?

If butchie didn’t.., could it have been a contract that was allowed to go forward? Also, read an interesting alternative hypothesis that suggested Pauline and patsy behind the hit… mostly because patsy’s kid got picked up for those football gambling on campus