WEST BRIGHTON — The larger-than-life memorial for Big Ang is in danger of being painted over because some in the neighborhood find it "offensive."
Janine Detore, Angela "Big Ang" Raiola's sister, was told by her landlord to paint over the memorial on the side of her children's clothing store after he told her some people complained.
"It's not like my sister’s naked or bare chested — it's her face," said Detore, owner of Country Mouse at 570 Forest Ave. "I don't know how her face could offend. I could not see anybody in my area even thinking like that."
Her landlord asked her to get rid of the mural before school starts but Detore launched a petition last week to try and get support to keep it up. So far it has garnered nearly 5,700 signatures.
"It brings us a lot of comfort," said Detore. "I just thought it was always going to be there."
The owner of the building, which is listed as Port Richmond Estates LLC, could not be reached for comment.
Raiola, the niece of the late head of the Genovese crime family, became a star when she joined the cast of VH1's "Mob Wives" during its second season. She also co-owned the Drunken Monkey Bar on Forest Avenue until it closed two years ago.
She died Feb. 18, 2016 at age 55 after a battle with lung and brain cancer.
Detore remembered her sister as a kind woman who helped out around the borough and the pair cooked for residents after Hurricane Sandy decimated some neighborhoods.
"She was just wonderful just in every way," said Detore.
In March, Brooklyn artist Danielle Mastrion teamed up with Newark-based Vincent "Get Lost A Lot" Santorella to create a giant memorial to Raiola on the side of Country Mouse.
Since then, Detore says fans come from as far away as the United Kingdom, Brazil and more to see the mural.
"When it comes to Angela, people flock," she said. "They really loved my sister."
More importantly the mural has helped the family deal with her death and Raiola's grandchildren say "Hi grandma" every time they pass by.
"I'm happy it's become a source of comfort for the family, for all of Angela's fans around the world, which is why I really hope that the piece doesn't get destroyed," said Mastrion, who offered to paint another one if it goes.
Detore stressed that her landlord has been nice about getting rid of the mural, but she still hoped the petition would change his mind to let her keep it up.
"If it doesn't, I don't know what I'll do," she said. "I think it will just be another heartbreak for us."
