Growing Up Gambino
Confessions of an alleged Mafia princess
- Smithsonian magazine, August 2008, Subscribe
When it comes to the Mafia, there are five infamous surnames: Lucchese, Colombo, Genovese, Bonanno and the best known—my own—Gambino. And that name inevitably provokes two words that I've heard more times than I can count, so I might as well just spare you the breath: Any relation?
Truth is, I don't entirely know. Some details lend themselves to speculation. My father was born in Ozone Park, Queens, which was the stamping ground of John J. Gotti, who seized control of the Gambino Family in the 1980s. And when my dad and the rest of the family (that's "family," not "Family") moved to Long Island in 1960, it was James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke, the true-life Robert De Niro character in GoodFellas, who bought our house. Then too, my uncle goes by the name "Choppy" and is in the construction business. But despite the circumstantial evidence, this branch of the family tree is clean. (Choppy is "Choppy" because his sister couldn't pronounce Charles, his given name, when she was young.) If we're related to the crime family, it's distant.
Blood relative or not, Gambino is a hefty weight to carry. I'm actually a mutt when it comes to ethnic background—more Irish than Italian—but the Italian in me trumps all. As a toddler, I had a T-shirt blazoned with "Bambino Gambino."
I wasn't aware that my last name connected me with a surly underworld until I was old enough for people to ask me about it. In high school, my history teacher warned boys they might find themselves wearing concrete shoes at the bottom of a lake if they messed with me. But I took everything in stride. In fact, I soon learned the name has its benefits.
A couple of years ago, I drove from Vermont to Boston with a few friends from college. While navigating my way through the Big Dig, I mistakenly drove down a street restricted to government vehicles and got pulled over. The officer took my driver's license, stepped away from the car to write up the ticket—then hastily returned. He said he didn't want any trouble; I could barely suppress a smile, as my slack-jawed friends looked on. My boyfriend, who happened to be in the car that day, hadn't met any I-talians before me. But now even he gets comments by association. When Gambinos made headlines this past February with the largest Mafia takedown in memory, his Swedish-American godfather asked him just what he had gotten himself into.
The power of the name grows stronger the closer I get to the Big Apple. (I've found the speed with which I can get a pizza delivered to be a good gauge of its clout.) Not long ago, my family made a reservation at Gallagher's Steak House in Midtown Manhattan. When we got there, the entryway was lined with the entire kitchen and wait staff; as we walked the gantlet to our table (far from any windows), I heard one waiter ask another, "Which one is Mr. Gambino?" But regardless of where I am, whenever a hostess, bouncer, retail worker, librarian or whoever else asks about my family ties, I tend to say "Nah" with a half-smile, to leave some room for doubt.
And if any readers have any smart ideas about sending me less-than-complimentary letters about this piece, you might want to reconsider. Hey, you never know.
Megan Gambino is an editorial assistant at Smithsonian.
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
Comments (43)
+ View All Comments
I checked my maiden name on Google and your article came up. I just had to investigate, I enjoyed your article! I can say ditto to eveything you said, including the boys hesitation to date me. Cement shoes are not much of a aphrodisiac! My dad was Frank J Gambino and althought I have no documentable proof, I have always believed that my grandfather and Carlo G. were first cousins. My grandfather was born in Sicily and came to the US when he was 9 years old. Grandpa was a stone mason by trade but when he married my grandmother his father-in-law (my great-grandfather) took him under his wing and brought him into the barber business. (better to keep an eye on his new son-in-law I suspect) Keep writing you have a talent for it.
Posted by Dolores Gambino Kozlowski on May 11,2012 | 10:25 AM
Are you any relations to Helen Gambi from the old Woolworth fame?
Posted by Mimi on February 10,2012 | 08:49 PM
Your article was intriguing and great reading. Don't worry, what's there in a name after all?
Posted by Rajib Singha on December 5,2010 | 08:05 AM
Megan,
How did you get your start working for the Smithsonian? I see you did some work in Bocas Del Toro. That is where I will be for the next few months.
Thanks,
Ginger Green
Posted by Ginger Green on July 30,2010 | 06:29 AM
Very nice piece of writing.
Guys like Carlo Gambino, Al Capone, Charlie Lucky, Vito Genovese, Benny Siegel, Meyer Lansky, etc. had the balls to flick their thumbs at the unjust government around them.
Gambling - State Lotteries
Drugs - Big Pharmaceutical Companies
Loan Sharking - Banks, Finance Companies
Shakedowns - IRS, Banks, Wall Street
Now you guys tell me. Is there really a difference between what these guys did to what governments around the world have been doing for centuries?
Posted by 8th Wonder of the World on July 21,2010 | 01:30 PM
Hi Meghan. You were a little girl in Memphis when I knew your family. Your brother and my son were friends; you were a smart little blonde with pig tails. I'm sure your success was of your own doing, and not because of your surname. Loved your story.
Posted by DianneB on July 17,2010 | 03:22 PM
Wow! Nicely done. Your voice is clear and engaging. The proudly, humorous tone of this piece is perfect for your audience, as evidenced by the comments. Thanks for warming my heart.
Posted by Joy Button on November 30,2009 | 10:25 AM
Megan, I loved your story. It took me awhile to find it. Karen has been so good at sending us web-site to look up. I could tell you some good one about my family name which is Reynoldson, but no time here. Hope the wedding goes well
Posted by Helen Brandt on July 15,2009 | 03:01 PM
In response to Maria Plaia Dec.27, 2008, Joe Gambino is owner of Consolidated Freight Co. in Kearny N.J. along with brothers Tom and Carl.
Posted by Gennaro on May 27,2009 | 12:38 PM
I was actually in the car that day and was suitably stunned by the reaction from the police. I was actually pretty happy that he didn't ask for all of our IDs because it might have been a bit hard to believe that there was a Gambino and a Rambino in the same car! Great piece!
Posted by Tom Rambino on February 11,2009 | 06:10 PM
Loved the article. Although I live in Florida, I get the same kind of reactions and questions. My father is from Queens and my grandfather and grandmother came over from Sicily. I love it when people ask if I am related, because in reality, if I say 'no' there is always a chance I mean "if I told you I'd have to kill you." Growing up the name always raised eye brows, especially among college professors. It's fun, and I am not really sure, so I just go with it. The last name makes for an interesting life and my wife likes to say she is part of "the fam," so she laughs every time our friends parents say....we like those Gambino's, hey make sure you invite the Gambino's over to the party or dinner. Most folks just like to say they know us. It makes for a good time all around.
Posted by C. Gambino on January 27,2009 | 02:36 PM
Hi Megan! I see you work at the Smithsonian. Check the old employee records. My father, Frank Gambino and my Mother, Dolores Gambino both worked there in the 1960's. My dad was an exhibits specialist and my mother did alot of behind the scenes artwork, some of which hung in the Agriculture Dept. until the restoration. Regarding the name: I LOVE it. I miss using it so much that I now use it as my middle name. I am proud to be a Gambino! Plus, I have always gotten a great table no matter what time of day or what restaurant I go to! ;)
Posted by Maryfrances Gambino~Botkin on January 4,2009 | 09:19 AM
I am trying to locate Joseph Gambino - He attended a wedding that I was at and would like to get in touch with him. Yes, he is the son of Carlo Gambino.
Posted by Marie Plaia on December 27,2008 | 02:00 PM
I read this and I want more. You got your Gambino hook into me and I'm not even Italian. So, if you're some kind of female Italian/Irish Woody Allen make this Last Page your first page of a book.( That's an offer no New York publisher will turn down.) You could have been cursed with a name like mine: Norvell Wylie Jones. "Norvell" for a boy is a bully-getter, "hit me" sign. "Jones" sounds like generic and it is. So, I write under the name N. Wylie Jones. There have been a few good writers with the first or last names of Wylie. As a writer, I'd kill for a name like Gambino. Yes, I'm using hyperbole. I hate violence, but I'd love to have a great name. Ray Bradbury would be nice. Maybe Tom Wolf or Tom Wolfe. Megan, if you write that book, let me know I want to buy a copy. But, please Ms. Gambino, no rush. Take your time. N. Wylie Jones
Posted by N. Wylie Jones on November 11,2008 | 02:46 PM
+ View All Comments