Born on November 19th 1941 in the Ozone Park section of Queens, Pizzonia began working for the Gambino crime family as a crew member for then caporegime John Gotti. On December 16, 1985, Pizzonia allegedly participated in the assassinations of Gambino boss Paul Castellano and underboss Thomas Bilotti outside Sparks Steak House. After Castellano's murder, Gotti took over as family boss. In 1995, Pizzonia became the head of a Gambino bookmaking operation and later replaced Peter Gotti as capo.