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Gotti family matriarch dies at 96

By Howard Koplowitz

Philomena “Fannie” Gotti, mother of the late Gambino crime family boss and Howard Beach resident John Gotti, died last week of natural causes at a Long Island retirement home. She was 96.

Gotti was also the grandmother of John Gotti Jr., her grandson, who is facing racketeering charges in Tampa, Fla., that could put him behind bars for life.

Victoria Gotti, the elder Gotti's widow, called her mother-in-law “an amazing lady” who was “one of those strong, strong old-timers,” the New York Post reported.

Fannie Gotti was a “typical old-fashioned lady,” Victoria Gotti said, according to the paper. “She was a housewife, a stay-at-home mom.”

Charles Carnesi, the attorney for John Gotti Jr., could not be reached for comment on Fannie Gotti's death.

Carnesi was in Florida to represent the younger Gotti in Tampa federal court.

Fannie Gotti was staying at a retirement home in Valley Steam, L.I., when she died, according to the Post. Her son died in a Missouri prison from throat cancer in 2002.

Her son was boss of the Gambino crime family from 1985 until his death in 2002.

Meanwhile, John Gotti Jr. pleaded not guilty to the racketeering charges in Tampa federal court and is trying to get the case moved to New York.

He is accused of orchestrating three murders, including two in Queens in 1988 and 1991.

He was also charged in connection with the murder of Louis DiBono, who was killed Oct. 4, 1990, in the parking garage of the World Trade Center.

Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.