Friday, December 5, 2008

Village Characters

For 30 years, Jimmy DiCiccio and his brother Philly (below) ran a butcher shop on lower MacDougal that was patronized by, among others, local mobsters like Vinnie "the Chin" Gigante and on occasion, John Gotti. The brothers grew up in the neighborhood with all the "made guys" though the DiCiccios didn't participate in the hooliganism. "Those guys were good guys," Jimmy says.  Jimmy spends his Thursdays at Aqueduct Raceway betting on the horses. His favorite greeting phrase," Hey, Kenny, what is it?"  
Back in the 60s, Philly DiCiccio was best friends with Jilly, the right hand man of Frank Sinatra. They all grew up in the neighborhood. Sit around sipping coffee (at Lenny's Something Special) with Philly long enough and he will regale  you with tales of the old days: hanging at Atlantic City with Jilly and Frank.  Partying at Sardi's with Sammy Davis and Keely Smith.  Seeing a young Barbra Streisand perform at the Gaslight Cafe. Or when he was a kid and Joseph Kennedy would recruit local teens to run liquor on the waterfront during prohibition.  At 91, Philly's knees are not so good these days, but he's still one heck of a snappy dresser.   

12 comments:

Dave said...

People always make good subjects huh? Interesting information on them too Ken. - Dave

Hope said...

Very interesting life stories on these folks and wonderful portraits!

Unknown said...

I admire to all active/dinamic people, but specially to vitality of old people whose faces "writes" some interesting life-stories

Laurie Allee said...

What great portraits, KM. I don't know how you manage to really capture the New York of days-gone-by. I hear Gershwin music! How do you do that?!

Great post. I'd love to get a "Hey Laurie, what is it?" And I'll bet he'd give me a nickname...

Anonymous said...

Knees or not, he looks damned good for 91! But I love that shot of Jimmy; bet he's a hugger and a kisser.

Ken Mac said...

Jimmy is a toucher, he's touches your shoulder when making a point. Funny guy

Virginia said...

When I get up there to the Big Apple, KM you gotta take me to see these two guys. I would love a chat with them for sure.
V
PS the sign is coming. I am getting to desperate for photos it may be tomorrow!

Cyd said...

I really like that he touches your shoulder when making a point....

It would be nice if people made more physical contact...

My mom was Italian and my dad (an Anglo-Saxon mutt) joked that if you tied her hands behind her back she would not be able to talk (because she gestured so much when expressing herself)... She was a shoulder grabber when laughing hard or when in disbelief...

humanobserver said...

Nice story and great portraits....

Jill said...

Loved your post.

Rob said...

A bit of history and nostalgia. Classic portraits!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Nice post, Ken Mac!