Spero was the brother of fellow Colombo family soldier Ralph Spero and uncle of Colombo family associate Thomas Spero. He was also the uncle of Angelo Sepe, who was an associate of Lucchese crime family mobster Paul Vario. In 1968, Shorty Spero opened the door for Salvatore Gravano, who was then a member of a petty street gang, to move into organized crime. According to Gravano, Spero, who Gravano described as a mid-level member of the Colombo crime family, had heard of his reputation and was anxious to meet him. According to Gravano, Spero had a brief speech for him;