Nicholas (Nicky Glasses) Marangello

Nicholas (Nicky Glasses) Marangello was integral in enforcing the Family rules and politically running the Bonanno borgata on and off for decades.

Nicholas (Nicky Glasses) Marangello - aka “Nicky Eyeglasses,” “Little Nicky,” and “Nicky Cigars”- was born in 1912. He was raised and resided in the 4th and 6th wards in the Little Italy section of Manhattan.

In his later years, he lived at 318 E. 89th St. in uptown before moving to 2515 Tratman St. in the Bronx where he would live for the rest of his life.

FBI # 531541-F, NYSIIS # 3789811Y

His activities included bookmaking, policy, and shylocking.

Marangello was integral in enforcing the Family rules and politically running the borgata on and off for decades.

As a young Family associate/soldier, he is said to have served as a driver and bodyguard to Joe Bonanno. He was identified by the FBI and local law enforcement as a highly respected member of the Bonanno Family.

Nicky Glasses served in the “administrations” under several ensuing bosses, variously as consigliere and underboss. He was especially close to Carmine Galante and saw himself demoted after Galante’s assassination.

Among his closet associates included Joseph (Joe Bananas) Bonanno, Carmine (Lilo) Galante, Frank (Frankie Carroll) Garofalo , Michael (Mimi) Sabella, Stefano (Stevie Beef) Cannone, Vincent (Fort Lee Jimmy) Capasso, and Robert (Bobby) Perrino.

An Affinity for the Shadows

Marangello operated the Toyland Social Club on Hester Street in Little Italy. The FBI kept it under constant surveillance taking pictures of all the hoods entering and leaving.

For years it served as the “de facto” headquarters of the Bonanno mob, especially after Galante made parole. Nicky also based his bookmaking operation out of the club.

Most everyone of any substance in the Family would report there eventually.

He was known for his affinity for the shadows, but during the “Banana War” years he was repeatedly ousted by law enforcement, subpoenaed and jailed for criminal contempt for not answering questions by investigators.

In Kings County, NY County, and Nassau County, he was among many harassed and jailed. Nicky Glasses was a key figure during the conflict.

In the early 1980s, Nicky was among a gaggle of Bonannos indicted for an alleged 20-year-long mob conspiracy to infiltrate and control the moving and storage industry.

Side Note: A key informant and eventual trial witness was Anthony Giliberti, a former business agent and relation by marriage to the Rastellis, who survived a gang hit despite being shot nine times. He was correctly suspected of having turned rat .

A Bonanno Family Entity

Accused of having infiltrated and installed their own mob minions into key posts such as president, vice-president, secretary/treasurer on down to shop steward,” Local # 814, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, indeed, became a Bonanno Family “entity.”

Through threats and Mafia-style terrorism - strong-arming, extortion, bid-rigging, arson, and a shooting - the Bonanno hierarchy had managed to “shakedown” numerous moving company executives for cash and lucrative contracts for upwards of two decades!

After a lengthy trial, the Rastelli brothers (Rusty, Carmine, and Marty), Joe Massino, Marangello, and the others were all convicted on multiple RICO counts.

Nicholas Marangello

Marangello received eight years in federal prison and a hefty fine for their extortionate control of the union local, which governed employees (drivers and helpers) in the moving and storage industry. Rusty got 12 years, Massino, 10 years, and Carmine, 6 years.

Side Note: While Nicky was serving his jail term, his son-in-law, Bobby Perrino was killed on Sal Vitale’s orders unbeknownst to Marangello, or he would have intervened. But that’s a story for another day.

A Mob Intervention

It is said that both Nicky Marangello and Mike Sabella were to get “clipped” along with Lilo Galante in 1979, but that certain top Mafiosi, obviously friends of theirs, had intervened, thereby saving their lives!

After serving the eight years, Nicky was already pushing 80 years old! He’d lost his son-in-law, and his personal family was in tatters because of it. He was getting tired also. It was time to step back and retire!

As stated above, both his “Family” and his “family” were in havoc! It had been a tough bit not so much because of the length of it but rather what had transpired during his absence.

Always a sharp guy, he knew it was time to concentrate on his wife, kids, and grandkids! It was over!!

“Nicky Glasses” passed away in 1999. He had spent his twilight years with the only family who ever really mattered - the Marangello and Perrino brood!

Until next time..."The Other Guy!"

Nicholas (Nicky Glasses) Marangello

Dive Deeper into the Underworld

Dominick Trinchera and the Three Capos Murder

Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella

Matteo (Matty) Valvo

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Not enough quota to unlock this post

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Nicholas (Nicky Glasses) Marangello

Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!

Tour the Underworld with Button Guys

Dive Deeper into the Underworld

Dominick Trinchera and the Three Capos Murder

Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella

Matteo (Matty) Valvo

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Not enough quota to unlock this post

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?