Pops was closely tied to the old school Upsate NY guys. He and Falcone, The Terzini's,Louri,Andaloro and Bruno went all the way back to the pre LCN days. Frangiamore and Pieri knew he knew the landscape and politics, so he was the link between Falange and the Bosses
Been there and done it I am very much for real, so if you ask, make sure you really want to know.