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'Big Ang' Larger Than Life in Staten Island Memorial

By Nicholas Rizzi | March 7, 2016 3:29pm
 Brooklyn artist Danielle Mastrion teamed up with Newark-based Vincent "Get Lost a Lot" Santorella to paint a large mural for Angela "Big Ang" Raiola.
'Big Ang' Mural
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Big Ang has taken a larger-than-life spot on a wall outside her sister's storefront.

Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, the star of VH1's "Mob Wives" who died after a battle with cancer last month, was immortalized in a mural painted on a West Brighton storefront over the weekend.

Brooklyn artist Danielle Mastrion teamed up with Newark-based Vincent "Get Lost A Lot" Santorella create the picture on the side of the Country Mouse children's clothing store, at 570 Forest Ave.

It was unveiled to the public on Sunday at a ceremony attended by family, fans and her "Mob Wives" co-stars.

"Angela was a very big icon on Staten Island," her sister Janine Detore, who owns Country Mouse, said.

"Why not have her memorialized where people can come and pay their respects?"

Fans and friends laid flowers and candles beside the mural.

Raiola, the niece of the late head of the Genovese crime family, died on Feb. 18 from complications with lung and brain cancer. She was 55.

She rose to fame when she joined "Mob Wives" during its second season. She also co-owned the Drunken Monkey bar on Forest Avenue until it closed last year.

Detore said Mastrion contacted her after Raiola's death asking if he could paint a mural. Her landlord gave her the OK to do it and leave it up as long as she wants.

"I didn't expect it to be this beautiful," Detore said about the painting. "I feel like I'm looking at my sister."