Angela ‘Big Ang’ Raiola Funeral Update: The Reason ‘Mob Wives’ Stars Karen Gravano, Brittany Fogarty Are Banned From Services
A few of Angela "Big Ang" Raiola's "Mob Wives" co-stars won't be attending her wakes or funeral service Monday at Basilica of Regina Pacis in Brooklyn, New York. VH1 stars Karen Gravano and Brittany Fogarty were reportedly asked not to come to any of the events set up for Big Ang.
Four different wakes have been arranged throughout Brooklyn to give friends and family the opportunity to say goodbye to the reality star. As previously reported, Big Ang lost her battle with cancer Thursday at the age of 55.
According to TMZ, a disco wake was held Saturday at a Brooklyn funeral home. Big Ang's estranged husband, Neil Murphy, was spotted outside the venue, along with her co-stars Renee Graziano, Drita D’Avanzo and Carla Facciolo. The outlet reports that one of the cast members said Gravano was a no-show because "rats" weren't allowed.
Even though Gravano and Big Ang were good friends, her father "Sammy the Bull" Gravano made a lot of enemies when he became an FBI informant and helped take down John Gotti.
The New York Daily News reports that her father's involvement with the police is why she was told not to attend the services. The publication reported that the same went for Fogarty, whose father John Fogarty is in witness protection after working with authorities and turning over evidence against certain mobsters.
Recurring "Mob Wives" star Andrea Giovino, who was also banned, told the Daily News that there could be people at Big Ang's funeral services that were affected by their fathers' decisions to work with authorities.
"There are going to be some people going to the service whose fathers may have been killed or put away," she explained.
Despite the ladies being asked to stay away from the services, they each took to social media to share their condolences over Big Ang's death.
“This has been an emotional roller coaster for you, your family and the people that love you, but through it all you never let this f---ing disease take your spirit,” Gravano posted on Instagram. “I admire your strength and courage!!! ... You are an amazing soul, and I am blessed to have had you in my life.”
Fogarty also shared a heartwarming message on Instagram, writing that she will "forever cherish all of the memories and laughs" she shared with Big Ang, while Giovino posted a photo with the late reality star writing in the caption that "life is too short."
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