A breakdown of Philadelphia making ceremonies in the 1980s
08 June 1980
Location:
South Philadelphia home of capo John Cappello
Members inducted:
Anthony Casella
Salvatore Grande
Philip Leonetti
Robert Lumio
Lawrence Merlino
Salvatore Merlino
Frank Narducci Jr
Anthony Pungitore Sr
Salvatore Testa
Notes:
First and only ceremony presided over by Testa as boss
Peter Casella, Nicodemo Scarfo, John Cappello, Santo Idone, Alfred Iezzi, Frank Monte, Frank Narducci, Nicholas Piccolo, Joseph Ciancaglini, John Grande, Pasquale Martirano, Ralph Napoli, Joseph Piccolo, Michael Piccolo, Frank Sindone and others were present for the ceremony
April 1981
Location:
Basement of LaCucina in South Philadelphia, a restaurant owned by Scarfo associate Salvatore LaRussa
Members inducted:
Raymond Martorano
Salvatore Sparacio
Notes:
Scarfo used this ceremony to announce that Salvatore Merlino was promoted to underboss and Frank Monte consigliere; Joseph Ciancaglini and Ralph Napoli were also upped to capos at this ceremomy
May or June 1981
Location:
Merighi's Savoy Inn, Buena Vista Township, a restaurant owned by Thomas and Ernest Merighi
Members inducted:
Fulvio Capozzi
Peter Caprio
Notes:
Scarfo promoted Philip Leonetti and Lawrence Merlino to capos at this ceremony; he also took down capos John Cappello and Joseph Scafidi, making them soldiers
January 1982
Location:
Vineland home of associate Robert Locicero
Members inducted:
Joseph Bellina
Felix Bocchino
Thomas DelGiorno
Gerardo Fusella
Francis Iannarella
Eugene Milano
Albert Pontani
Joseph Pungitore
Michael Ricciardi
Joseph Sodano
Pasquale Spirito
Notes:
Salvatore Testa promoted to capo at this ceremony
June 1982
Location:
A house in or near Vineland owned by the uncle of Robert Locicero
Members inducted:
Anthony Ferrante
Nicholas Virgilio
Notes:
Scarfo used the ceremony to announce that Nicholas Piccolo was promoted to consigliere
Last ceremony Scarfo held before surrendering to serve the time on his gun charge
November 1984
Location:
Whitemarsh house of Salvatore LaRussa
Members inducted:
Nicholas Caramandi
Joseph Grande
Charles Iannece
Notes:
Scarfo used the ceremony to announce that Pasquale Martirano was to replace Ralph Napoli as capo of the Newark crew; Scarfo also promoted Thomas DelGiorno and Francis Iannarella to acting capos
March 1986
Location:
Second floor of a pizza parlour owned by Scarfo associate Phillip McFillin on South Street near Fourth Street in South Philadelphia
Members inducted:
Nicholas Milano
Phillip Narducci
Notes:
Scarfo used the ceremony to announce that Philip Leonetti was the new underboss and that Salvatore Merlino and Lawrence Merlino had been taken down from underboss and capo, respectively, to soldiers; Thomas DelGiorno and Francis Iannarella were promoted to official capos
June 1986
Location:
Merighi's Savoy Inn
Members inducted:
Anthony Attanasio
Joseph Licata
Joseph Ligambi
Anthony Pungitore Jr
Salvatore Scafidi
Ralph Staino
Notes:
The last ceremony Scarfo presided over as boss (though he later gave permission for Anthony Piccolo to hold a ceremony in 1990 and instructed an 'old timer' to induct some members in the late-2000s)
