In one of our YouTube Community posts, we posed this question: At the height of their 1950s-1960s power, in your opinion, which particular mafioso headed the largest crew and was considered the most powerful Profaci/Colombo Family Capo?
The choices were Buster Aloi, Tony the Chief Bonasera, Jiggs Forlano, Sonny Franzese, or Carmine Persico
Here’s my take:
This is a very tough question because all of these men were very powerful, at one time or another. And depending on if you review the 1950s, or the 1960s, I think the underworld landscape and power shifted a bit within the Profaci/Colombo Family. So here is my humble opinion and viewpoints on the question asked;
Sebastiano (Buster) Aloi
He was, at one time, in my opinion, the most powerful caporegime among the five men listed. You must remember that Aloi was an “original” member of this Family. He was older and a more senior member compared to such men as Franzese, Forlano, and especially Persico (who wasn’t even born yet) when Aloi was already a top mafioso.
He controlled a large section of Northern Brooklyn, parts of Queens, and eventually extended his reach on behalf of the borgata out to Long island. He was also the mentor and sponsor of future Family power John (Sonny) Franzese, who first got his start under Aloi. Well known and thoroughly respected throughout the American underworld.
Cassandro (Tony the Chief) Bonasera
A close runner-up to Aloi. During the 1930s-1950s era, “Tony the Chief” was one of the most notorious mafiosi, and top powers, in the borough of Brooklyn. So much so, that he and his partner, John (Johnny Bath Beach) Oddo were actually listed as “Public Enemies” by the NYCPD.
Bonasera controlled large territory in South Brooklyn, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, etc., for boss Joe Profaci. He was one of Profaci’s top men, and an important caporegime throughout all Cosa Nostra. A highly respected hoodlum. But, I am not sure of how large a crew he headed.
Nicholas (Jiggs) Forlano
It was widely known and accepted throughout the underworld and law enforcement alike that Forlano and his partner, Charles (Ruby) Stein were among the biggest loansharks in the City of New York. Police alleged the combo of “Ruby & Jiggs” had a whopping $5,000,000 “on the streets” any given day of the week. They were also among the largest sports and horse bookmakers.
Jiggs’ partner Stein was sort out by other top bookies as the “oddsmaker” for setting the betting-line in NYC. Their moneymaking abilities for the Family is what later compelled Joe Profaci to elevate him to a “capo” status. But years later, once Stein and Forlano broke up the partnership, Forlano was demoted back down to a soldier. The magic that had once been Forlano’s was now gone.
John (Sonny) Franzese
This man’s reputation speaks for itself. He is widely considered an underworld “legend” by fellow mafiosi, law enforcement, and the media. He rose up under the tutelage and auspices of Sebastian Aloi, who sponsored him into “the life.” He was schooled as a young man by his father, “Carmine the Lion,” an old-time Camorrista, and other important Camorra members. He quickly rose in stature, and by the height of his 1960s power, had arguably become one of the most important mafiosi in NYC, not only among the Profaci/Colombo Family, but throughout Cosa Nostra.
Sonny ran a huge crew and was widely considered the top enforcer and confidane of boss Joe Colombo, (and contrary to some reports) had been named the underboss before his imprisonment. His notorious reputation led to him being repeatedly targeted for prosecution, and from 1970 forward, he was jailed. He served nearly 40 years of a 50-year jail term (despite being paroled 6 times). Had he not been jailed, Franzese, more than likely, would have become the “official” boss of the Profaci/Colombo Family. Despite that, he remained a highly-respected caporegime for almost 70 years, and served in the capacity as the “official” underboss several times as well.
Carmine (The Snake) Persico
This man is another legend. Persico’s reputation and capabilities were such that, as a young soldier, during the early 1960s era, he was “assigned” the task of wiping out the entire the notorious Gallo Gang by boss Joe Profaci himself. He had a deadly reputation. By the time he was 30 years old or so, he had already became a caporegime. And of course, by the late 1970s, he became the official boss of this Family.
But, despite his position and future power, back in the 1950s, he was still a kid. And by the 1960s, Persico was only first gaining traction within the family as a top power. He was still viewed as a younger “up-n-comer,” by the older, more seasoned members, like a Aloi, Bonasera, and even Franzese (who was Persico’s senior by nearly 15 years.) But Persico ran a huge crew, and after Franzese was jailed, Persico became the most powerful caporegime in the Family, and eventually took the Colombo Family throne for himself.
So, after all is said and done, in my humble opinion, for the 1950s era, I pick Sebastiano (Buster) Aloi. And later, for the 1960s era, I pick John (Sonny) Franzese as the two most powerful caporegimes for those two time periods.
There you have it folks, Until next time…“The Other Guy”
