Prison seems to be a common factor in this as well as blood relation ties and where the books were closed and then reopened in the 70s. A lot of cases where people looked at them as though they were time served. Also if someone is a force on the street and commands respect like they have a button - it is what it is;

Natale - in prison for decades
Gotti - in prison and the books were closed where he would’ve been made years earlier
Massino - books were closed

It reminds of that scene in sopranos where tony blundetto is sitting down with New York Angelo and rusty taking about what he wants and he says ”I wouldn’t mind a push up the pyramid, time served and all”