By Alex Davidson
Family members wished the late mob boss John Gotti a happy 62nd birthday by placing “In Memoriam” ads in Sunday’s Daily News.
Gotti’s wife, children and friends placed seven ads in which they expressed their feelings for the head of the Gambino family and former Howard Beach resident, who died of cancer June 10 in Springfield, Mo. at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners.
“Dear Daddy, to say that your absence is devastating is an understatement. My heart will ache forever. They can write what they want about you, we all know the truth. You were a great father and an amazing grandfather. I’ll always be nothing but proud to have had you as my dad,” wrote Gotti’s elder daughter, Angel.
Gotti was serving a life sentence for a June 1992 conviction on racketeering and murder charges at the Marion Maximum Security Prison in Illinois.
Gotti’s son, John, who has been in jail since 1999 when he was convicted of racketeering charges, wrote a message from prison with his wife and children.
“Dear Dad, happy birthday in heaven. Words could never describe the pain of your los(s). We will keep you close to our hearts through the memories we shared with you. You are a man with great honor that we all admired and loved so much. We are proud to have had a father and grandfather like you. Your strength will never be forgotten and your spirit will live through us. Always missed and forever loved, your son John, Kim and grandchildren.”
Another letter came from Gotti’s younger daughter, Victoria, who signed the letter along with her three sons, Carmine, John and Frank.
“Daddy, I miss you truly. Not a day goes by without tears. It is the first celebration we are apart and the pain is immeasurable. Happy birthday, Dad, and yes, I’ll go on to show the world we are not a one-horse show!”
The Gottis take out “In Memoriam” ads every year to commemorate the death of Frank Gotti, John Gotti’s son, who was 12 years old when a neighbor in Howard Beach accidentally killed him in a car accident on March 18, 1980.
John Gotti’s grandchildren wrote the following birthday message to both their uncle and grandfather.
“Dear Pop-Pop, we miss you so much. Our hearts are broken. There will never be a better grandfather than you. You were our father, grandfather and best friend. We love you dearly. Have a happy birthday with Uncle Frankie.”
The letter is signed, “Love always, Frankie and Victoria.”
But the simplest and shortest message came from Gotti’s wife, Victoria, who placed the seventh and final announcement in the series.
“We, you and I, are forever. Love you honey, Victoria.”
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 229-0300, Ext. 156.
