BOSTON —

Carmen "The Cheeseman" DiNunzio, known as one of the last of Boston's old-school mobsters, died Sunday at the age of 68.

DiNunzio had been dealing with health problems in recent years, including two strokes.

"He was just a really good guy," said his former attorney, Anthony Cardinale. "He was a serious man. He was a very respected man. But he was also a big hearted guy. He was also a very gracious guy, a very well read guy."

Retired Massachusetts State Police Maj. Pasquale Russolillo, who ran the organized crime unit, said DiNunzio was "very charismatic, very respectful not only to his own people in the neighborhood but to law enforcement."

Russolillo recalled times when he and his partner Nunzio Orlando and his boss Jack O'Malley would sit down with DiNunzio at a sub shop to

See Full Page