Tony Accardo eight decades at the top, the Accardos are originally from Castelvetrano, home of Messina Denaro.

mine would be Chin Gigante and Benny Squint for the Genoveses; Carlo Gambino for the Gambinos obviously; Gagliano, Lucchese, Tony Ducks for the Luccheses;

Mine were john gotti and vinny basciano because they were low key.

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Eight decades at the top? He died at 86. I'm guessing math isn't one of your strong points.

Carlo Caputo from Madison Never killed anybody, as it seems...

Looking at bosses over the years you can really see the decline from brilliant, Machiavellian businessmen, who were more *likely* to fit the romanticized Hollywood version with supposed codes of honour, etc., to Bosses from the 1980's forward who were image and murder obsessed. From Bruno you get Scarfo, From Corallo you go to Amuso, and in 10 years you go from Gambino to Gotti, etc., etc. - the whole culture and mission of the mafia was inextricably changed. It not only became more public and therefore a greater target for law enforcement, but was also less likely to draw upon more intelligent recruits as traditional discrimination against Italians abated and other opportunities opened up to second and third generation Italians. With rare exception, they stopped attracting the cream of the crop.

All time Boss might well be Frank Costello. He may have been too weak to keep Vito Genovese away, but there's little denying that the organization itself would likely have been better off with Costello's connections and diplomatic skills to leverage them.

Accardo is a great pick. Gambino would be a great pick also.

In the modern era, Massino prior to turning rat deserves a mention, although he ultimately disqualifies himself. Vito Rizzuto doesn't get enough credit. Where even high-achieving Mafiosi would be looking to make millions, Rizzuto looked at rackets and thought about how to make billions. Then he did it, while unquestionably running a whole city and keeping the peace between rival factions and buying off all levels of government for two decades - and never once did he hesitate to pull a trigger. Anyone who he decided was an enemy all of a sudden had a very short expected lifespan.

In the here and now, probably only Barney Bellomo is really worthy of high praise.

I'm not considering any of the Italian bosses in my picks...that's a whole other milieu of which I am not well informed.

John Gotti low key lol are you serious?

Not sure what my answer would be. This is kind of like asking what's your favorite kind of cancer.

John Gotti low key lol are you serious?

Not sure what my answer would be. This is kind of like asking what's your favorite kind of cancer


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. Lenox loves Gotti lol. Even though it’s widely agreed upon he was an awful boss

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EXCELLENT picks and an even MORE excellent synopsis of the mafia landscape of the 20th century. My HIGHEST COMPLIMENTS!!!!! I really mean that. Rarely do I find someone who is as eloquent and descriptive in their explanation of all things Mafia.

You could be my "consigliere" anytime! lol

I think Lenox must be kidding here. Because between Gotti and Basciano I couldn't tell you who was more flashy and in your face. Both were hazards to the life. And thats putting it mildly.

Much appreciated, my man. Love your work. Would happily serve as your Consigliere - but I'm not 100% Italian!