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Big Ang’s Estranged Husband, ‘Mob Wives’ Costars Arrive at Funeral Home for Visitation

Despite separating just before her tragic death on Thursday, February 18, Big Ang’s estranged husband, Neil Murphy, was one of the first visitors to show up and pay his respects to the late reality star on Saturday, February 20. 

Murphy, a sanitation worker, wore a navy blue suit and white shirt for the memorial event, which was held at the Scarpaci Funeral Home in Brooklyn.

Earlier this week, he posted a touching message to Twitter following the news of her death from cancer.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars Gone Too Soon

“I will always love you forever please watch over the grandkids I know you will,” he tweeted, along with a broken heart emoji and a photo of himself and his late wife.

Several Mob Wives cast members were in attendance at the visitation, including Renee GrazianoKaren Gravano, Carla Facciolo and a very teary and emotional Drita D’Avanzo, who an attendee tells Us was “extremely distraught.”

Neal Murphy
Neil Murphy seen at the memorial service held for Angela “Big Ang” Raiola.

Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Bobby Ciasulli also attended, and there was a long line of fans outside the funeral home, with some waiting at least an hour to pay their respects to the beloved star.

The viewing was an open casket one, and Big Ang was dressed in what appeared to be a mink coat over a darker colored dress and wore a silk head wrap to cover her hair loss from chemotherapy. Her nails were painted a glossy light gray. “She looked beautiful and at peace,” the attendee tells Us.

Big Ang

Ang’s casket was surrounded by massive floral arrangements — one that spelled out her name, another in the shape of a monkey for the bar Ang used to own (the Drunken Monkey), a large stiletto shoe, Patrón Silver tequilathemed arrangements in honor of her favorite drink, and an arrangement in the shape of big red lips. 

Alongside the casket was a black-and-white, Chanel-themed tribute from her children, Raquel and A.J., along with a note that described the reality star as “the greatest mother in the world.”

Renee Graziano & Carla Facciolo
Renee Graziano and Carla Facciolo

Related: PHOTOS: Celebrity Deaths in 2016: Stars We’ve Lost

A formal memorial service will be held on Monday, February 22, at the Basilica of Regina Pacis in Brooklyn.

Big Ang was well-known in her Staten Island community, a close family friend exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, February 19, noting that “everybody in the area loved her.”

Big Ang
Big Ang

Related: PHOTOS: Reality TV Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

“She was always a star,” Lori Falcone told Us. “Everybody loved her, before the TV world. She always had different haircuts. Different hairstyles. Always well-dressed. And her children were always dressed to the nines. Even when she was just a bartender. … I looked up to her when I was a teenager. But she worked hard for that stuff. You know, she did.”

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