Of the five Mafia bosses listed below, who controlled Families in smaller cities throughout the United States, which one lived the very best life and had the best overall "career" in terms of the wealth he achieved, the underworld power he wielded, the little to no jail time he served, etc., etc.?

Which particular mafioso, in your opinion, had a good quality of life and was the most successful (overall) of the five?....When ALL factors are considered.

In other words, if you were a mafioso, which one of these five men would you want to be?

A) James Lanza (San Francisco, CA)
B) Joseph Zammuto (Rockford, IL)
C) Sebastian La Rocca (Pittsburgh, PA)
D) Carlos Marcello (New Orleans, LA)
E) John Scalish (Cleveland, OH)
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Note: You can ONLY pick from these five names. We don't wanna hear about other bosses you may prefer. These are the five choices!

La Rocca of course.

I say John LaRocca, admittedly biased, but Marcello had a stressed out life fighting with the feds. he was probably the most powerful on the list, but he did not live the best life.

Larocca started spending 6 months a year at his Florida home in the late 60s letting Michael Genovese handle the day to day for him. He died a free man in his bed in his mid 80s.

He was nationally respected, had strong ties to Detroit, Buffalo, Rochester, Chicago, Trafficante, Cleveland(before and after the war) and of course NY.

He was at Appalachian, but was not rounded up and chartered a private plane to get him and Amato back to Pittsburgh. Give him some credit for getting away from that round up.

he is known to spend 2-3 weeks at a time in Hot Springs Arkansas multiple times a year relaxing. He would also meet with the other family leaders there.

Scalish term as leader is often underrated, but still not a better life than big John.

Lanza live dot be 103 and died a free man and was also at Appalachian and not caught. But he did not have the connections that LaRocca had, possibly from being so far west from the big families.

I don't know enough about Joseph Zammuto to be honest.

As I said I am biased, but I think the facts prove Big John Larocca was well respected from California to NY and Cuba. He lived his last 25 year sin semi-retirement without losing announce of respect. He had nobody turn and testify against the family on his watch and only handful of upper guys who were proven to be giving info the feds along the way.

This guy lived the best life out of the list.

I'll go with Scalish. Cleveland was a very powerful force during his day.

Zammuto is my second choice.

1.) Marcello
2.) La Rocca
3.) Scalise
4.) Zammuto
5.)Lanza.

Extra credit for me for listing them out 1-5.

All your answers so far have been credible and make sense, especially you Millspgh. I like the analytical way you "deduced" your final answer.

Let's see who else cares to voice an opinion regarding this. Then I'll throw my two cents in at the end. Ok fellas? Lol

Obviously, there is no wrong answer per se. This is an "opinion" piece.

LaRocca for sure,and not just because he's a "home town" guy.
He built connections with LCN bosses all over the US,ran some very lucrative businesses in Pgh,both legitimate,and "legitimate",and commanded some heavy hitters.

For me, it would be a little difficult to choose between La Rocca and Scalish. I wouldn't choose Marcello because, as Millspgh said, he had many problems with the feds, and spent a big part of the 1980s in jail, while Zammuto and Lanza were less powerful than the other 3. That leaves La Rocca and Scalish, and if I have to choose just 1, I think I would pick La Rocca just because he lived longer.

However, to be honest, if the question was just "which boss I would like to be", I would choose Lanza because he got to be 103, but that's just my personal preference; if ALL factors are to be considered, imo La Rocca would probably be the best choice.

I'd have to agree with you. Scalish and La Rocca are definitely among my top choices. For many of the reasons that you and others have enumerated here.

Marcello
LaRocca
Scalish
Lanza
Zamuto

But don’t reall know much about Zamuto

If it wasn't for Marcello being dropped into a jungle, going to jail, and just being such a grouch everyday of his life LOL he would be the guy, but he had a rough last 15-20 years, or more. between jail, courts, the Kennedys, dropped into a jungle while being deported, man, talk about stressful.

He was one of the most powerful bosses outside NY and Chicago, and he seemed to never enjoy life. You see pictures of Accardo at parties and fishing, Joey Doves hunting, Carlo G with Sinatra, you see pictures of other bosses smiling, LaRocca on a cruise, etc, I don't know if there is more than1 photo of Marcello smiling ever LOL

1 thing most of these guys on the list had in common, they did not make many guys, especially in their last 15-20 years in power, their families died out due to prosecutions and not enough made guys around to keep anything going. Some might say that is a good thing, some a bad thing, but its an observation.

I struggled between him and La Rocca for 1 for that exact same reason. I ended up going with Marcello simply because it is virtually unheard of for a guy from New Orleans/the South to have that much power and clout in LCN. Pittsburgh obviously isn't much bigger, but since it is on the "East-ish" Coast and is driving distance to both Chicago and NY and is obviously close to Philly I chose Marcello. Upon reading both of your posts on here, I think I'd like to switch La Rocca and Marcello LOL.

Well, for my money, La Rocca is definitely in the forefront, if for no other reason than it seems he lived a good life. Couple that with the profits he made, and the lack of "trauma" suffered during his career. How could we not consider him as one of the more fortunate ones?

Very hard to choose from LaRocca and Scalish.
Both bosses rather low key and used violence as a
Last resort.

Living in NE Ohio my heart says John Scalish
But my mind says Big John LaRocca.

LaRocca made sure the Pittsburgh Family was in
Good hands after he passed in 1984. He had much
Foresight to make sure he left the Family
In the caretaking of Michael Genovese.

LaRocca much like John Scalish allowed his rank and file
To earn underneath them. That kept everyone happy
And it kept the peace

In John Scalish case once his most trusted inner circle
Started to pass away beginning with John DeMarco in 1972
And Frank Brancato in 1973, his desire and zest to
Be the leader of the Cleveland Outfit slowly eradicated
His one error was not letting Ange Lonardo take
Over day to day operations.

I would have to go with C.

Could not possibly think of living in any of those other places.

I do think Lanza had an easy life on the west coast no competition/politics like the East and Mid-West, enough money to be made in Cali and living to 103 lol.

So far, you're all given great explanations of why you picked who you did.
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As for me? Lol. I designed the question, yet, I find it hard to pick any particular one for some of the very same reasons you've given. Because depending upon whose career and life you examine, each had pluses and minuses. For instance, I really liked and considered each for the following reasons;

James (Jimmy the Hat) Lanza:
1) for the simple fact that he lived and controlled the beautiful City of San Francisco, California. From what I know about it, I imagine thats a wonderful place to live.
2) No police record. To my knowledge he was never even arrested once during his entire underworld career.
3) He was the son of the founding boss of the family, Frank Lanza. So he had extra "pull."
4) He headed a relatively small, quiet, yet thriving Family. (he had San Francisco, with a population with 800,000 residents)
5) He was obviously a wealthy guy. Owned real estate, an olive oil and Italian foods importing business, an insurance brokerage firm, etc.
6) Lanza lived well. Had a relatively "stress free" life, and lived to the unbelievabley ripe old age of 103!...What else is there to say? LOL
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Sebastian (John) La Rocca:
1) He controlled the City of Pittsburgh for decades (300,000 population). Yet, was generally able to remain in the background, allowing a few trusted minions to be "up" front. Pittsburgh was a city with a rich underworld history.
2) Had a limited police record, and (to my knowledge) never served any big jail time.
3) As an "East Coast" boss, held close ties to Cosa Nostra's power base back in NYC. He worked closely with top bosses.
4) Although the family had a small formal membership, they were augmented by literally hundreds of "associates."
5)He was a wealthy guy. He owned a cement block supply company, real estate, coin-vending machine distributorships, etc.
6) I respect the fact that he wasn't greedy. He shared the "wealth" among his top capos and soldiers, which of course, in turn, kept everybody happy and avoided dissension within the ranks (an EXTREMELY sharp move on his part).
7) To the best of my knowledge about him, he was able to enjoy his life. Vacationed to Florida and other destinations regularly, etc. And he lived into his eighties (if I remember correctly). A well-lived life.
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Joseph Zammuto:
1) Headed a small, very quiet Family, based in Rockford, IL. (a small city of only 147,000 residents).
2) By the very nature of the territory he controlled, this borgata operated quietly, yet, I suspect, still earned money appropriate to their size.
3) Lived a very quiet, unassuming life. Wanted for nothing, and generally stayed in the background, allowing his men to be "up front."
4) Zammuto had a minor police record. Never spent any real time behind bars, yet, was THE boss and a respected mafioso for decades!
5) Owned or controlled several legitimate businesses that brought him a steady income. So relived comfortably.
6) And he too, died of old age, in his own bed....A well lived life.
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Giovanni (John Scalish) Scalici:
1) Headed the "Cleveland Family," a city that also held a rich underworld history (with a population of 368,000) This family was respected by NY, and worked with them for many years.
2) Controlled a medium-sized family, that was involved over the years in many major mob operations such as Las Vegas, national labor unions (at one point, Scalish's crew actually controlled the President of the Teamsters), etc.
3) Even though he had several notches on his arrest record, to my knowledge Scalish never served any big time behind bars.
4) Lived a very comfortable life. Scalish also did it right, staying "behind the scenes" most of the time. Avoiding trouble.
5) I'm not sure of his exact assets. But I imagine, as a "boss" of a family for many years, that he too, was wealthy.
6) Born in 1912, he died of natural causes, during a heart operation in 1976. But he was only 64 years old.
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Calogero (Carlos Marcello) Minacore:
1) Without a doubt, the most powerful and influential of the five men listed. He ran a small family, but controlled many hundreds of associates, politicians, city and public officials, and had national influence.He held ironclad control over New Orleans (a city off 377,000 residents).
2) He was wealthy beyond wealthy. He owned thousands of acres of land, numerous businesses, public companies, gambling casinos, controlled a good portion of Louisiana's judiciary, etc., etc.
3) But during his lifetime, he also had much trouble with the law. He had a lengthy arrest record, and both as a young man, and later, as an old man, served several significant prison terms.
4) Marcello was also hounded for many years by newsmen, Attorney General Robert Kennedy kidnapped and deported him, U.S. Senate Investigation Committees probing the assassinations of President Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, and later Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa. Marcello lived under constant stress and strain.
5) He served his last jail term as an old man, and suffered from dementia while behind bars. At the end of his life, he didn't even know who he was anymore.
6) He did live to 83 years old. But again, I wouldn't have wanted to live his stressful life.
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So the bottom line? For my money?

I would pick either Lanza, La Rocca, of even Zammuto. I think those three lived the very best lives overall.

It looks to me like the forum found this question interesting and enjoyed providing personal opinions.

So if you like, I'll pose up another question, and more "food for thought" soon.

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Sebastian (John) La Rocca:
1) He controlled the City of Pittsburgh for decades (300,000 population). Yet, was generally able to remain in the background, allowing a few trusted minions to be "up" front. Pittsburgh was a city with a rich underworld history.
2) Had a limited police record, and (to my knowledge) never served any big jail time.
3) As an "East Coast" boss, held close ties to Cosa Nostra's power base back in NYC. He worked closely with top bosses.
4) Although the family had a small formal membership, they were augmented by literally hundreds of "associates."
5)He was a wealthy guy. He owned a cement block supply company, real estate, coin-vending machine distributorships, etc.
6) I respect the fact that he wasn't greedy. He shared the "wealth" among his top capos and soldiers, which of course, in turn, kept everybody happy and avoided dissension within the ranks (an EXTREMELY sharp move on his part).
7) To the best of my knowledge about him, he was able to enjoy his life. Vacationed to Florida and other destinations regularly, etc. And he lived into his eighties (if I remember correctly). A well-lived life.
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One note to add to this response, and I agree with what you said here, in response to #6 on your list -

It made me think of one thing our friend FOH told me once, I don't remember which of his personal friends told him this, but once Michael Genovese took over after LaRocca's death, the gentleman said something along the lines of " now I am making real money".

Maybe FOH will read this and can elaborate.

You are correct, Big John was not greedy, but by the time he passed in 1984 and Michael took over full control, Genovese had already made his money from 40+ years in the rackets, so he allowed his people to earn and keep even more than LaRocca did apparently.

Excellent and informative
. I thank everyone for giving their opinions and reasoning.

This is an easy one for me. JImmy Lanza without a damn question lol. From what I've heard is that he truly lived a great life

IMO, both Scalish and Marcello run last for the following reasons; from what I can see Scalish had a solid career and a good life, but he died relatively young. Marcello on the other hand, lived longer, but had a very tumultuous life, served several significant prison terms, and in the last years of his life had gotten a very bad case of dementia. He didn't even know who he was anymore.

So for those reasons, I eliminated those two names.

The other three each lived low-keyed successful lives. Lived long, made millions, served virtually no prison time, and enjoyed themselves. If you're gonna be a mob guy, I imagine thats who you'd wanna be, no?

Absolutely. Do you wan tot be Carmine the Snake - Feared but behind bars for 50 years, Sonny - Respected by all but 50 years in the can, your most formidable years too, or be the under the radar guys like LaRocca, Lanza, and others who died of age and free men with serving very little jail time. Accardo and Trafficante are among the few "above the radar" names who did very little time and died free men. Maybe Lucchese also.

You bring up LaRocca who definitely lived a quiet but good life with little or no issues but I would say so did Michael :-) I'll bet you agree?

John Scalish had respiratory issues going back to his early
40s. And him smoking did not help..then later he has
Back issues and heart issues.

But Scalish had influence and control of the Teamsters
As Bill Presser had to go through him.
And in the Unions in Cleveland Scalish basically ran all those
In one way or another. The hotel unions , garment , bartenders
Etc. He made so much $$$$$ from his investments in Vegas
And gambling in Northern KY he basically let Tony Panzarella
Oversee the policy and bookmaking in Cleveland

Iam curious what led up to Pittsburgh basically getting 75%
Of the Youngstown profits and Cleveland getting 25%
Did LaRocca and Scalish make a gentleman's agreement?

That's a good question. Maybe the Pittsburgh guys blew up more Cleveland guys when they were killing one another in Youngstown?

That's a good question. Maybe the Pittsburgh guys blew up more Cleveland guys when they were killing one another in Youngstown?

I’d say Marcello was one of the most powerful small family bosses for sure but he didn’t get to enjoy much once the Kennedy’s started messing with him. I don’t know enough about the rest to make a formal reply except some LaRocca I’ve read on here

I got to loyal to IL and go with Joe Zammuto up in Rockford.....i also thought John Frisella aka Tiger had some potential way back when but not so much these days.

Joe Z had a real good one at the top of the heap.