"Charlie the Blade's" Penknife - Gaetano D'Auria

A "ButtonGuys of The New York Mafia" Biography Exclusive posted up as a courtesy to our forum members (no paywall).

One of Charlie "The Blade" Tourine's closest associates was a little known, yet pivotal New Jersey-based mafioso who was arguable Tourine's eyes and ears for decades. A lifelong buddy of Charlie's, D'Auria, better known by his underworld moniker of "Tommy Nelson" handled everything from gambling and bootlegging rackets in the Garden State to Casino operations in Havana, Cuba, for his mentor and the Vito Genovese crew.

So without further delay....here's a bit more about them.

https://thenewyorkmafia.com/2019/03/01/gaetano-dauria/

...Hope you enjoy it folks!

I love these bios of the New Jersey guys. Especially the Genovese members and associates.

Glad you enjoyed it Fleming_Ave. Happy New Year my man!

Was Gaetano D'Auria Neapolitan? That's a major surname over in that region.

Probably Avellino in Campania, many people from that area emigrated to New Jersey.

Thank you! Happy New Year to you too. I really enjoyed your Richie the Boot video. Him and his guys were about the most fascinating and scary crew in the mob, in my opinion.

Fleming, did you read the two bios I wrote on Anthony Provenzano aka" Tony Pro" and his sidekick Salvatore Briguglio aka "Sally Bugs"?

Those are two more Jersey guys who were allied with the Genovese. Both are on here posted some threads down if you care to search em out.

It's Sicilian; as well as the name Gaetano is Sicilian.

The given name of Gaetano, or Thomas in English, is a first name widely used throughout all of Italy. From the north down thru the south, and of course Sicily also.

I am not certain as to the origins of the surname D'Auria (it may originate in the Campania region), but again, over the decades it is a last name that you can now find in multiple regions of Italy as well as in America.

I personally know of several other families with the surname of D'Auria.

Good article... there’s also a decent amount of info on Charlie the blade in the book “Boardwalk Jungle” by Ovid Demaris...

FYI, There was another fellow with the Lucchese Family who was active decades ago who also sported the surname of D'Auria.

Didn't see this before but thanks Fleming. The Boiardo opening is one of my favorites but his story is very interesting. Like you, I've been getting more and more interested in the Jersey guys from all the families so you never know what else we might pull out of our hat.

Coming next week on Mob Fireside Chat:

You've read the story, now watch the movie. Mob Fireside Presents The Blade's Penknife - Gaetano D'Auria. Debuting later next week.

Also The Murder of Irwin Schiff (print and video) in only a few days.....

And be sure to visit Button Guys to read our newest bio on Salvatore (Salvy) Spitale who aside from being a well-respected racketeer also had a hand in the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.

Preview of Salvy D'Auria:

https://youtu.be/DDwWgn_Mj6Q