@IvyLeague

"They both have the kind of ego that wouldn't let them walk away from being the boss of the family even though the rules of Cosa Nostra dictate that they should step down when they get life incarceration, or even a very long sentence – for the good of the crime family," said Gabriel.

"And Vic knows, like John knew, that if you give it up, not only are you out of sight, you're out of mind," said Gabriel. "The only way to insure that their own family is taken care of is to hold onto the reins of the crime family, and maintain the access to the crime family's money."

- Absolutely agree. Some men become so entrenched in the life that by the time they reach the top they know it's nearly a guaranteed prison sentence and would rather be immortalized in prison (and in death) than save their own skin and turn rat or just fade away without the title. Reminds me of Ralph in the Sopranos quoting gladiator, "What we do in life echoes in eternity". In order to create that echo your presence must have a great impact, those men fully held true to that mindset whether or not it was noble or a pipe-dream in their own comprehension of it.