BOSTON -- Vittore Nicolo 'Nick' Angiulo, eldest member of an organized Mafia family, died of a kidney ailment that had prevented him from standing trial with his brothers on racketeering charges.
Anguilo died Sunday in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Boston.
He was 71.
His death left unproven government charges he played a key role of 'consigliere' or counselor in the Boston-Providence, R.I., Mafia.
Angiulo was indicted in 1983, along with his four brothers and two other alleged Mafia members. He was never went to trial because of his bad health.
His brother Gennaro Anguilo, 68, is serving a 45-year jail term for racketeering. Another brother, Donato F. 'Smiley' Angiulo, 64, is serving a 20-year-sentence in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind. Francesco J. 'Frankie' Angiulo, 66, is incarcerated at a federal prison in Springfield, Mo. A fifth member of the family, Michele A. 'Mike' Angiulo, 60, was recently home on furlough from a three-year sentence in federal prison in Sandstone, Minn.
The Justice Department had alleged Nick Anguilo settled disputes within the Mafia and carried messages between Boston and Providence for Raymond L.S. Patriarca, a reputed Mafia leader who has since died.
Law enforcement officials called Nick Angiulo one of the most influential figures in the Mafia but the FBI alleged he was demoted from consigliere after an an unsuccessful attempt by Gennaro Angiulo to take Patriarca's place.
Nick Angiulo, a resident of Revere, was married to the late Janet V. Piccini Angiulo. He is survivied by two daughters, Bernadette DeAngells and Nicole Angiulo of Revere, and a sister, Stella Orlandella of Saugus.
