Page "James Burke (gangster)" Paragraph 5

Burke was an immense presence: burly, tall, and with a temper to match.

He had large, tattooed, muscular arms as result of earlier work as a bricklayer for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

His job as a union bricklayer during the New York City construction boom was short-lived, and he gave it up to pursue a life of crime.

He was known to be very polite and charming, but was a stone-cold killer.

Said Henry Hill, " He was a big guy and knew how to handle himself.

He looked like a fighter.

He had a broken nose and he had a lot of hands.

If there was just the littlest amount of trouble, he'd be all over you in a second.

He'd grab a guy's tie and slam his chin into the table before the guy knew he was in a war.

... Jimmy had a reputation for being wild.

He'd whack you.