The Godfather turned 50 this month. And two recent deaths have provoked debate about how the American Mafia has changed since the release of Mario Puzo’s wildly popular crime novel.

The first death, that of Carmine Persico after 33 years in federal prison, closed a chapter in organized crime history. The head of the Columbo family, “the Snake” had managed to run his crime syndicate until the late ’90s despite his incarceration. Sentenced for racketeering, gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion, Persico was no well-dressed executive type. He had been charged with murder as early as age 17.