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Less Fanfare on 2nd Day

By Pete Bowles and Andrew Johnson | STAFF WRITERS

June 15, 2002

On a day darkened by a steady rain and black umbrellas, a stream of mourners filed through a Maspeth funeral home for a second day Friday to pay their respects to mob boss John Gotti.

Fewer visitors and fewer flower displays showed up at the Papavero Funeral Home compared with Thursday, when hundreds packed the chapel. There were also fewer police officers present Friday.

Men in black blocked photographers with their umbrellas as Gotti's widow, Victoria, left the Grand Avenue funeral home about 5 p.m. and stepped into a waiting limousine. She was wearing sunglasses and appeared haggard.

Escorted by two men with umbrellas, Gotti's daughter, a novelist also named Victoria, stepped into a second limousine and was driven away.

Looking at some of the young men who stood guard outside - dressed in tight dark suits and turtlenecks - Peter Russo, 58, a retired school teacher from Jersey City, said the men were "trying to be something they ain't."

Among the spectators were Perry Smith, 29, of Middle Village, and his ex-wife, who refused to give her name. They said they were present on both days of the wake. "We're troopers," Smith said. "We came out again just to see what's going on."

About 4 p.m., another floral display - a yellow bed of flowers surrounding red carnations spelling out "John" - was delivered. It was placed in the doorway because of the flood of flowers inside.

A Gotti brother, Richard V. Gotti, 59, a reputed crime captain, stayed inside the funeral home for both the afternoon and evening viewings. Laid out in a closed, gold-colored coffin, John Gotti was dressed in a solid blue suit and matching tie, according to family spokesman Lewis Kasman.

Noticeably absent were two other brothers, Gene, who is serving a 50-year prison sentence for heroin dealing, and Peter, who is being held without bail on federal racketeering charges.

John Gotti's son, John A. Gotti, also was not present. He is serving a 6-year prison term for bribery and extortion.

Longtime Gotti lawyer Bruce Cutler said the son had not applied for permission to attend. "Like John Gotti never asked for anything from the government, neither will his son," Cutler said.

Gotti will be interred Saturday at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village following services at the funeral home at 10 a.m. A memorial Mass will be held after the burial.

A police officer walking the beat near the funeral home on Grand Avenue predicted the crowds would be massive for Saturday's ceremonies.

"It's going to be a zoo," he said. "I hope it rains."