Genco Abbandando Character Analysis in The Godfather

The Corleone Family’s original Consigliere and Tom Hagen’s predecessor. A lifelong friend of Don Vito Corleone, Genco grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, where his family owned a grocery store. When Vito arrives in New York, the Abbandando family adopts him, and he begins working in their store. Genco and Vito soon become partners in crime, and Vito names his olive oil company (a front for his illegal activity) Genco Pura, after his friend. Genco serves as Don Vito’s first Consigliere until he is stricken with cancer and dies. When Don Corleone visits Genco on his deathbed, the old Consigliere implores Vito to stop God from taking him, a testament to the Don’s power. Of course, the Don doesn’t have control over this, reminding readers that regardless of his towering power and influence, the Don is still human.

Genco Abbandando Character Timeline in The Godfather

The timeline below shows where the character Genco Abbandando appears in The Godfather. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...brings his three sons and Johnny Fontane to the hospital to visit the old Consigliere, Genco Abbandando, who is dying of cancer. Before he leaves for the hospital, Michael tells Kay... (full context)

At the hospital, Genco implores the “Godfather” Don Corleone to save him from death. The Don admits that such... (full context)

After arriving in New York, Vito boards with a family named the Abbandandos, works in their family grocery store, and befriends their son, Genco. In Vito’s Little Italy... (full context)

...grown up and is married with two children when Fanucci buys a share in the Abbandando’s store and forces Vito to give up his job to the Fanucci’s own nephew. Vito... (full context)

...loyalty to him. He also formalizes the major hierarchies in his crime family by making Genco Consigliere, Tessio and Clemenza his caporegimes, and putting “layers of insulation between himself and any... (full context)

...him after a furniture wholesaler swindles him out of $300. In response, the Don sends Genco to speak with the wholesaler, who “caught the drift immediately” and arranges for Nazorine to... (full context)