Earlier this month, the streets of Brooklyn witnessed a grim end to one of New York's infamous mobsters.
Anthony Conigliaro, also known as “Tony Cakes” or “Tony the Dessert Man,” met a gruesome fate when a Department of Transportation (DOT) truck decapitated him at a Brooklyn crosswalk.
Conigliaro, 86, was once a feared acting captain in the Genovese crime family, considered the most powerful of New York's Five Families.
A Double Life
In his later years, Conigliaro lived a quiet life in a small apartment building in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Neighbors described him as a caring individual, always looking out for others. “We miss him. Everybody misses him,” one remarked, oblivious to Conigliaro's mobster background.
Conigliaro's ties to the Mafia were brought to light in 2005 when federal prosecutors in Brooklyn filed a four-count indictment, accusing him of being a soldier in the Genovese family.
Conigliaro's dessert-centric nicknames stemmed from his legitimate work in the confectionery business. He sold sweets across New York City and ran an Italian ice and gelato stand in Little Italy.
Behind the sweet facade, Conigliaro held a dark secret, having operated as a loan shark for the Genovese crew and orchestrated various criminal schemes.
The captain's criminal record was extensive. He pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge in the 2005 case. His rap sheet also included an arrest for criminal usury in 1999 and a grand larceny case in 2006.
The Violent End
Conigliaro's violent end was both shocking and symbolic. One law enforcement source told the New York Post: “He spent his life looking over his shoulder but he forgot to look both ways before crossing the street.”
The irony underscores the brutal reality of Conigliaro's longtime profession:
Gruesome footage from the aftermath of the crash showed Conigliaro's head several yards away from his battered body, a sight that left the DOT driver in tears.
“Later on in life he became known as Tony the Dessert Man,” Mari said.
“He was a kind gentle soft spoken very quiet guy. Always trying to help people.”
A small memorial for the apparent former goodfella — four bouquets of flowers and two candles — was set up Friday at 92nd Street and Dahlgren Place, where he was fatally struck.
One commenter below the viral video speculated: “Now we understand why that DOT guy was crying… he's probably seeking witness protection.”
The Life of a Capo
Mafia captains, or capos, hold significant responsibilities within a crime family. While they do sometimes directly participate in or order killings, their primary role is to oversee and manage the operations of their crew.
More mundane, day-to-day responsibilities include coordinating illegal activities such as extortion, loan sharking, gambling and drug trafficking.
Capos also serve as intermediaries between the boss and the soldiers, handling disputes, maintaining discipline and protecting the family's interests in their territory.
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