John Cincotti, Man In The Background Of Big Moments In Boston Mob Lore, Dies

Howie Carr-

In the old days of the Boston Mafia, John Cincotti might have been described as middle management, a non-commissioned officer type.

Cincotti, who died peacefully Monday at the age of 81, was there for several of the more memorable moments in Boston organized-crime history, never at the center, always just … hanging around, on the fringe.

He was raised “In Town,” as the old-school cops always labeled the Mafia faction based in the North End. He was a protégé of Ralphie Chong and Ralphie’s boss, Larry Zannino, better known as Baione.

Larry had a “club” on North Margin Street. The FBI wired it in 1980 and recorded at least one very significant organized-crime conversation there. The G-men also taped him endlessly lecturing his crew, including Johnny Cincotti.

“This Thing comes first,” Larry used to tell him. “Johnny, This Thing we got here is beautiful. You understand? more