In 1932, Anastasio gained control of Brooklyn Local 1814 of the International Longshoremen's Association and eventually rose to become a vice president of the national ILA.

Over the years, Anastasio earned millions for the New York Five Families through kickbacks from dues, stolen merchandise, and payoffs from rival shipping companies.

During this time, while helping establish Anastasia as a major force on the New York waterfront, Anastasio's power was at its height.

After Luciano was imprisoned for pandering, Anastasio allegedly organized the arson sabotage of the French luxury liner SS Normandie.

The U.S. Navy at the time was concerned about the dangers of possible acts of sabotage against warships berthed at Brooklyn and Manhattan docks.

[9] A French luxury liner, the SS Normandie, was being hastily converted into a troop transport and was docked at a Hudson River pier.

For hours, the Normandie burned, until, listing heavily to port from all the water she had taken on, the ship finally capsized along the pier.

While discussing Gambino, Peter DeFeo, and Thomas Eboli with the agents, Anastasio reflected on his deceased brother: "I ate from the same table as Albert and came from the same womb but I know he killed many men and he deserved to die".

[12] On March 1, 1963, Anastasio died of a heart attack at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn.