Historic Leader of the Montreal West End Gang dies at 85

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that "If the Italians had Vito Rizzuto and the Hells Angels had Maurice Boucher, then Montreal’s Irish and anglophones had Gerald Matticks, according to crime journalist Julian Sher. Article content He was a larger than life figure known for giving food to the poor."

"He also allegedly led what became known as the notorious West End Gang, who were said to have controlled the Port of Montreal and are still active to this day. Prosecutors alleged even the Hells Angels depended on him at one point."

Julian Sher is a good source but I question how active the West End Gang is today. Times have significantly changed. Irish Gangs were huge in historic New York but when I went there in the /80's Hells Kitchen which was the famous Irish area was nothing like it used to be. 

There aren't even a lot of Irish in Ireland any more figuratively speaking. Mass migration has changed the demographics significantly. Years ago the fake news claimed Wheels was a leader in the West End Gang and that was ridiculous.

Let's salute the heritage and stay away from the gaslighting.