Thanks pizzaboy for the kind words...I don't feel so dupid now.
Back to nice gestures from wiseguys- The wiseguys were nice to my great grandpa. They wanted to put a phone booth in his deli/restaurant but he told them NO cuz he had 4 daughters and didn't want "those type of men" congregating in his place making bets around his daughters. They respected his wishes and went to the next store.