"Mob Wives" star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola died in the early morning hours of Thursday at the age of 55. The VH1 reality star lost her long battle against both brain and lung cancer and now her devastated cast mates are speaking out.
"I am truly heartbroken over the loss of Angela," Brittany Fogarty told Us Weekly of the reality star. "She was a beautiful woman with an even more beautiful soul. She had a personality that was larger than life. Ang welcomed me with open arms from the moment I met her and for that I will be forever grateful. She was always there for me when I needed someone to talk to and to support me."
Drita D'Avanzo took to her Instagram to share a sweet picture and message to Raiola, writing: "I will see you again one day my friend...I will miss every minute of u until then. I love you. #RIPAngela."
Raiola was the niece of Salvatore "Sally Dogs" Lombardi, who was in the New York City Genovese crime family, according to Entertainment Weekly. She first appeared on "Mob Wives" during the VH1 show's second season and later got two of her own spin-off series called "Big Ang" and "Miami Monkey."
"My beautiful friend is with the Angels now," Carla Facciolo wrote in an Instagram post dedicated to Raiola. "Angela u will be missed more than anyone I knw ! U were so loved by so many ppl .. May u rest in peace my friend . I love you & I will miss you."
"I admire your strength and courage!!!! Right up until the very end you laughed joked and made sure everyone around you was OK...You have a heart of gold my friend," Karen Gravano shared on Instagram. "The amount of people that came together to support you speaks volumes of how much you are truly loved and respected.... You are an amazing soul and I am blessed to have had you in my life...rest in paradise Angel you will forever be loved & missed."
A photo posted by Karen Gravano (@karengravano) on Feb 18, 2016 at 6:56am PST
A photo posted by Carla Facciolo (@carlafacciolo) on Feb 18, 2016 at 2:36am PST
