La Cosa Nostra: The-Sopranos.com

GAMBINO Family:

Salvatore D'Aquila Years as Boss: 1910-1928 (Died)	This known cheese importer was the first Capo De Tutti Capi (Boss of Bosses). He was part of the Moustache Pete ere and was murdered in Brooklyn in October of 1928 ordered by Joe Masseria. His death along with the death of Tom Reina were two major contributing factors to the Castellamerese Wars.(?-1928)
Frank Scalise Years as Boss: 1928-1931 (Retired)	Frank Scalise was appointed to be boss after the death of D'Aquila. But, the death of Salvatore Maranzano and the strength of Lucky Luciano on the "Commission" forced him to step down as the head of the family. He was assassinated in 1946 when he was the underboss. (?-1946)
Vincent Mangano Years as Boss: 1931-1951 (Disappeared)	Vincent Mangano was appointed boss of what was to become the Gambino Family by Lucky Luciano in 1931. He was a very respected member of the family. He was the chairman of the "Commission" from the time of "Lucky" Luciano's conviction until his disappearance. He was conspired against by Frank Costello, Albert Anastasia, and Tommy Lucchese. In 1951 he disappeared, never to be found. (1888-1951)
Albert Anastasia Years as Boss: 1951-1957 (Died)	With the disappearance of Mangano, Anastasia became the head of the family. He was a very violent and ruthless leader. He was known as "Lord High Executioner", before he was the boss. Anastasia and Lepke created an enforcement arm for La Cosa Nostra that came to be known as "Murder Incorporated," responsible for from 700 to 1000 murders. Anastasia controlled the Brookyln waterfront with his brother for over a decade. Soon, it came very close to wartime when Anastasia squared off against Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino. Anastasia's reign and life ended in a barber shop when he was murdered in 1957. (1903-1957)
Carlo Gambino Years as Boss: 1957-1976 (Died)	At thiry-three, started as a soldier in the family run by Vincent Mangano, Carlo became boss of the family in 1957 after arranging the murder of Albert Anastasia. Gambino was known as a very cunning man. He was one of the greatest bosses of all time, if not the most successful. He made more than any other boss, and was lucky enough to never be brought down by authorities. He died in 1976 of natural causes. On his deathbed he chose his cousin and brother in law, Paul Castellano to succeed him.(1902-1976)
Paul Castellano Years as Boss: 1976-1985 (Died)	Castellano took over for Carlo Gambino in 1976 after Gambino's death. Paul would become the leader of the most powerful family and assume the name as the Boss of Bosses until his assassination, along with his bodyguard Tommy Bilotti, in 1985 by John Gotti. (1915-1985)
John Gotti, Sr. Years as Boss: 1985-1996 (Arrested)	Gotti became boss in 1985 when he ordered the murder Paul Castellano. As perhaps the most popular gangster of all time next to Al Capone, John Gotti was a man who loved his public as they seemed to love him. It was thought Gotti wasn't to be convicted (at least not on RICO), after a few major indictments failed. However, in 1992, the "Teflon" Don was convicted along with his consigliere, Frank Locascio, and sentenced to life in prison. Although he said he would run his Family from the can, since he got solitary confinement, the Commission basically forced him to retire in 1996. John died at the federal prison at the U.S. medical center for federal prisoners. (1940-2002)
John Gotti, Jr. Years as Boss: 1996-1999 (Arrested)	"Junior" ended up becoming official boss, after Nicky Corozzo and his pals, the more likely successors to his father, pleaded guilty on racketeering charges. He was the acting boss since 1992 and no one really wanted him to succeed his dad, but there really was no one else left, they were all locked up. Succession of bosses is not supposed to be by blood, which was precisely what Gotti Sr. was mad about when Carlo Gambino made his cousin, Paul Castellano, his successor. Junior Gotti was involved in scams on Wall Street and, unlike his dad with flashy suits, he wore sweatshirts and jogging shoes. On April 7, 1999 Junior pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Junior is having a hard time paying off his debts, if you read in the News section. Shows that it doesn't pay to go down that path, nowadays. (1966-)