Frank DeCicco

Frank DeCicco (November 5, 1935 – April 13, 1986), also known as "Frankie D" and "Frankie Cheech", was an American mobster and eventual underboss for the Gambino crime family in New York City.

The son of Vincent "Boozy" DeCicco from Benevento, Campania, an alcoholic soldier with the Gambino crime family, DeCicco grew up in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, but lived as an adult on Staten Island.

Frank DeCicco's brother was Gambino soldier George DeCicco and his sister was Betty DeCicco.

Frank's uncle was Gambino capo George DeCicco.

Frank had two children, Vincent and Grace.

In the late 1960s to early 1970s, DeCicco joined the Gambino family and soon became a "soldier".

In 1973, DeCicco and future Lucchese crime family underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso were robbing diamond dealers and hijacking trucks throughout New York State.

DeCicco eventually became a protégé of boss Paul Castellano, also a Bath Beach native.

He was also close to Gambino caporegime James "Jimmy Brown" Failla, whom he described as his "rabbi".

DeCicco's crew was one of the most powerful in the Gambino family.

It included associate Joseph "The German" Watts, John Gotti's chauffeur and bodyguard and Joseph "Old Man" Paruta.

DeCicco became heavily involved in labor racketeering with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Union Local 282.

Through Castellano, he held a no-show IBT union official position with the Local 282.

The members of Local 282 delivered concrete and building materials to construction sites in New York City and Long Island.

Although paid overtime, DeCicco was rarely present at any construction sites.

He installed many Gambino members into the Local and was responsible for delivering payoffs from union bosses to the Gambino administration.

DeCicco often attended meetings at Castellano's Todt Hill, Staten Island mansion.

In 1978, Castellano allegedly ordered the murder of Gambino associate Nicholas Scibetta.

A cocaine and alcohol user, Scibetta participated in several public fights and insulted the daughter of George DeCicco.

Since Scibetta was Sammy Gravano's brother-in-law, Castellano asked Frank to first notify Gravano of the impending hit.

When advised of Scibetta's fate, a furious Gravano said he would kill Castellano first.

However, Gravano was eventually calmed by DeCicco and accepted Scibetta's death as the punishment earned by his behavior.

In 1983, Castellano ordered DeCicco to arrange the murder of Gambino soldier Roy DeMeo.

DeMeo headed a crew that had committed as many as 200 killings.

By 1983, DeMeo was under heavy law enforcement investigation.

Worried that DeMeo might become a government witness, Castellano ordered his killing.

Given DeMeo's fearsome reputation, DeCicco found it difficult to find any family members who would take the job.

Finally, DeCicco recruited Gambino associates Anthony Senter and Joseph Testa, both members of DeMeo's crew, to murder their boss.

The two mobsters murdered DeMeo on January 10, 1983.

A low-profile mobster, DeCicco drove a non-descript 1985 Buick Electra.

Frank was a disorganized man who stuffed dozens of business cards in his suit jacket and kept a messy car.

Former underboss and government witness Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano described DeCicco as being calculating and observant.

Gambino boss Paul Castellano once commented on DeCicco to Gravano; "Frankie? Frank's a gambler. He's a street dog, Sammy."

A successful gambler who played craps games or roulette, DeCicco frequented many illegal gambling establishments in Brooklyn and Manhattan and owned his own social club in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

In late 1985, DeCicco and John Gotti conspired to murder Castellano and his new underboss, Thomas Bilotti.

Vincent died of lung cancer in 2008.

Frank's nephew was Gambino mobster Robert DeCicco.

DeCicco was a tall, muscular man with a thick neck that showed exposed thick arteries when he was angry.

He dyed his silver hair black, leaving silver streaks styled in a pompadour coif.

He also had a slightly mashed nose.