Frank Cali's murder is the first hit on a Mafia boss since John Gotti arranged the assassination of then-Gambino head 'Big Paul' Castellano - outside Sparks Steakhouse - in 1985. The notorious assasination saw Castellano, 70, and his underboss Thomas Bilotti, 47, both shot in the face by a three-man hit squad just after the two victims had stepped out of their car. Castellano's reign as kingpin had begun in 1976 after the death of Carlo Gambino. The Gambinos were the most powerful of the five families of the New York City mafia and worth an estimated $500 million a year. Gambino capo John Gotti (left) was part of a three-man hit squad that shot Mafia kingpin Paul Castellano (right) outside a steakhouse in 1985 Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce. They were further enraged by Castellano's insistence on living as a recluse in his mansion in Todt Hill, Staten Island, which earned him the moniker, 'the Howard Huges of the Mob'. When Dellacroce died of cancer in 1985, Castellano disrepected the Family by not attending the funeral. The final nail in his coffin was when he made Capo Thomas Bilotti his underboss. John Gotti, who had been loyal to Dellacroce and didn't think Castellano was worthy of being the Don, and the irate Gambinos then decided to whack Castellano. At the time, Castellano had been on trial in Manhattan federal court on racketeering charges involving three murders and an international stolen car ring but the trial was in recess. On December 15, 1985 Gotti and the Dellacroce devised a plan to assassinate Castellano and Bilotti - by luring the boss to a meeting at Sparks Steakhouse on 210 E. 46th St., between Second and Third Avenues. The scene of the crime. Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce The bodies of Castellano and Bilotti lay in a pool of blood after they were gunned down outside Sparks steakhouse in Manhattan At around 5.30pm, Gotti and Salvatore 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano were driving in Gotti's Lincoln Town Car when they spotted the boss in his Black Lincoln Town Car. Gotti drove on ahead and parked at a vantage point across the street from the restaurant. At around 6pm, Castellano and his Underboss Thomas Bilotti pulled up at Sparks Steakhouse to attend a sit down with Frank DeCicco to apologize for missing Dellacroce's funeral. Just as they exited the car, the assassin shot Castellano six times. He fell to the pavement and died. Bilotti, who was in the driver's seat was also shot dead. Gotti then drove past the scene, while Gravano looked at Bilotti's body, saying 'he's gone'. Soon after, John Gotti became Boss, Frank DeCicco became Underboss, and Gravano became Consigliere in 1986.All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility