Pittsburgh's Holiday House

Hi All,


I wanted to start this thread because the Holiday House was so engrained in the LaRocca Crime Family's history as one of the longtime mob hangouts. It was the "Copacabana" of Pittsburgh:

http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmo...y#axzz2qmY9p9x3

A recent report of Jay Leno refusing to perform for Chicago Mobsters because he had a booking at the Holiday House in Pittsburgh was seen on Jerry Seinfeld's online show called "Comedians in cars getting coffee." Leno said after he declined the offer, he received a call from Sinatra two hours later that said "I spoke to the Holiday House, they don't need ya."

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/watch-jay-len...rm-for-the-mob/

Here is the obituary of Mike Genovese, Pittsburgh's longtime mafia boss and a constant at the Holiday House.

http://www.post-gazette.com/obituaries/2...es/200611020421

Here's a great photo shot of the mobbed up entertainment venue Holiday House in Monroeville, PA.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaslingsby/6922186809/in/photostream/

Another article on Mike Genovese and his affiliation with the Holiday House:

http://www.post-gazette.com/Op-Ed/2009/0...es/200904190162

Jo Jo Pecora had 2 wedding receptions at the Holiday House. Both were very intimate affairs for 1,500 +/-. It was only paper ;-)

Hey JCB , funny you mention old holiday house . Man it brings back some memories .As a youngster my parents, aunts& uncles & some close friends would go up there few times a year from cleveland( monroeville pa) correct ?even as a young teen, we went on few occasions w/ them I remember lot of the shows there- it was great ! All the tickets for shows came thru the "family" .

Ya know more on holiday house- i remember even @ young age, my uncle would meet guys there & i'd think man look @ them guys they are malandrine for sure ! I think we all go as a big family so it be less noticeable ! Frank gorshon, ike& tina turner , the shilites & gail sonders to name a few , that big pool swmming and all ( memories, ). Heck wed go up to seven springs also . That is all part why i was so intrigued as a youngster along with all the other guys back home.Money flowing, the clothes the cars . Your ruining me ! Im taking a trip down memory lane !! I dont know how much you were in cleveland back in the day, but man tuesday nights @ IAB club- ol man milano, scalish,jack white & the rest of the crew.They would give us a sawbuck to watch their cars & mayfield rd be lined w/ caddies & lincolns . They did a driveby to get nardi comin out & missed, two snipers on rr bridge missed him too .Come to think- the cleveland guys had a bunch of bad hits( bad aim) do you remember two of jack whites close associates- paul lish & darby( steveie cocavecchio)he had a brother brassi in vegas(california) close w/ carmen milano.

Here is a surveillance photo of Mike Genovese coming out of the Holiday House: Scroll down to page 5.

http://clevelandmob.com/files/Penn1985Rptpart5and6005.pdf

I am too young to remember nights at the Holiday House, however, my Mom & Dad as well as my Uncle and his wife went to quite a few shows there in the 1970's-1980's. They used to be guests of John LaRocca and his lovely wife. I was born in 1977, so I only hear of the memories from guys like you and Friend of Henry as well as my family.

A shout out to any Pittsburgh area posters or Western PA residents. Any memories you could share would be invaluable.

We had my sister's 16th Birthday dinner at the Holiday House. I was 7 years old so much of the dinner was my Mom (a waitress at the Duquesne Club) overseeing my table manners. The entertainment that night was either Peggy Lee or Abby Lane,I honestly don't remember which,but she came over to the table to sing Happy Birthday.I have a souvenir photo of my family at the table,and if I can figure out how to post it,I will.
In those days,you dressed to the nines to go out to a place like this,and it really was a special experience.

WOW - The Duquesne Club! On the way to going broke I was able to dine in some of the finest restaurants and clubs from New York City to Chicago. None any better than The Duquesne Club.

Recently my close friend sponsored an evening at The Club. From cocktails in the lounge, to dinner and wines in the main dinning room, to cigars and after-dinner drinks and finally vintage Port with a game of pool in the game room, truely a night to remember ;-)

On January 28,1986,I was invited to meet a client for a business lunch. Since he was a member of the Duquesne Club,we decided to meet there.
I got there a bit early and the Maitre'D suggested that I wait in the bar until my client arrived. I ordered a cocktail and heard a man to my left say"isn't that a shame about the shuttle"?. I hadn't known about the Challenger explosion since it happened enroute,and in those days news didn't travel like today.
Anyway,we sat in the bar and watched the breaking news coverage. The twist in this story is that the man who informed me of the disaster was none other than "The Chief",Art Rooney Sr. legendary owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here's something from the Mary Ferrell FBI files:

On November 2, 1966, PT T-1 advised that Georgienne Mannarino, eldest daughter of Gabriel Mannarino, will marry Dr. Russell Bufalino, on the morning of Saturday, November 5, 1966, at Mount Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, Pa. A reception will follow at the Holiday House, Monroeville, Pa.
The origin of Dr. Bufalino is not known, but he is allegedly somehow related to the “Mafia Bufalinos from back east between Philadelphia and New York City.”
The word in New Kensington is that this is an “arranged family marriage,” typical of the long-recognized intermarriages between “Mafia members.” The newlyweds are supposed to reside in the Erie, Pa., vicinity after they return from their honeymoon.

On November 4, 1966, PG T-1 advised that Kelly Mannarino has been making many telephone calls to Chicago and New York City, inviting important racketeers to the wedding of his daughter, Georgienne, on November 5, 1966. However, very few of those called will attend the wedding because they are afraid the “Government” will photograph them. As a matter of fact, many area political figures have declined the invitation for the same reason.

On November 14, 1966, PG T-1 advised that the other day Kelly Mannarino was overheard to say that he figured the cost to him of his daughter’s wedding and reception averaged out to about $30 per guest, and there were more than 700 guests who made appearances. He also said he spent about $500 on cigars alone.
Some of the guests, names not known, were from Detroit, Michigan; Miami, Florida; and New York City. It is believed most of them arrived and departed by air as there were no out-of-state automobile licenses noted.

The November 7, 1966, issue of the “Daily Dispatch,” daily newspaper published in New Kensington, Pa., contained a society page account of the Bufalino-Mannarino wedding, stating among other things that: “Miss Patricia Erra was maid of honor and Mrs. John Stephancis, Miss Toni Bufalino, Miss Jamey Carlucci and Miss Dolores Mannarino were bridesmaids. …Joseph Bufalino was best man and Michael Allegretti, James Bird, Donald Cipolla and John Furno ushered. …After a reception in Holiday House, Monroeville, the couple honeymooned in the Bahamas. They will reside in Meadville. The new Mrs. Bufalino was graduated by New Kensington High School and Harcum Junior College, Bryn Mawr. Her husband was graduated by Meadville High School, John Carroll University, Cleveland, and Temple University, Philadelphia. He is a doctor practicing in Pymatuning Medical Center, Linesville.”

On November 7, 1966, PG T-2 advised that he was unable to attend the wedding of Kelly Mannarino’s daughter in New Kensington, Pa., on November 5, 1966. However, he did attend the reception at the Holiday House, Monroeville, Pa., commencing at about 6:00 p.m. that date. There were literally hundreds of people present, most of whom informant did not recognize, but he does recall seeing the following, mostly with wives, at one time or another until midnight: Frank Amato, Braddock; Sonny Amato, East McKeesport; Max Stein, Detroit, Michigan; Norman Rothman, Miami, Florida; Louis Volpe, Joseph Volpe, Johnny Volpe and Joe Sica, all of Wilmerding; John LaRocca, Mike Genovese, Phil Genovese, Sam Levine, “Turk” Americus, Sam “Steaks” Russo, “Boots” Bellini, all of Pittsburgh; Johnny Bazzano, Washington County; Paul Bazzano, “Red” Giordano, Sam Lanzino, John Fontana, “Mitch” Rodites, Neal Hageal, Willie Sams, Tony Gallian, Ray Gardlock, John Cirigliano, John Bordonaro, “Ki” Sams, “Sonny Ciancutti, Andy Mangini, Frank Phillips, “Uttie” DeFelice, Louis Ciancutti, Sam Mannarino, Victor Carlucci, “Babe” Bordonaro, “Speedo” Hanna, Lou Cavalier, Tony Remich, George Cohen, all of New Kensington; Joseph Regino and Sam Fashion, Johnstown; Jack Lerner, Mike Sappas, and Archie Nelson, all of Pittsburgh.
In addition to the foregoing, “Ki” Sams told informant that there were some out-of-town “moustaches: present, referring to them as “Mr. Big from Detroit”, “Mr. Big from Cleveland”, and “a bigshot from New York City”.
Also, according to “Ki” Sams, there was a man from Youngstown, Ohio, whom he called “Ernie” and another from Youngstown whom Sams called “Jackie”, saying that this latter individual was “married to a Russian broad.”
At about 10:30 p.m., on that evening, Gabriel Mannarino and about ten others, including Sam Mannarino, John LaRocca, Frank Amato, and Lou Volpe, spent about 20 minutes together at a table in the back of the room, while John Fontana and Sonny Ciancutti kept everyone away from them. When this was pointed out to “Ki” Sams, he stated they were “a bunch of old moustaches having some kind of a meeting.”

On November 7, 1966, PG T-3 advised that after making extensive inquiry, he is convinced that absolutely nobody from McKeesport, Pa. attended the Mannarino wedding or reception on November 5, 1966.
On the other hand, everyone of any importance in the rackets in the Turtle Creek Valley Section of Allegheny County attended the wedding and/or reception. Those known positively to have attended were Louis Volpe, Joseph Volpe, Johnny Volpe, Joseph Sica, Mickey Picillo and Sarge Botti. Also, there were Frank Amato and Sonny Amato from Braddock, Pa.

On November 14, 1966, PG T-2 advised that most of the out-of-town guests, who attended the wedding of Kelly Mannarino’s daughter on November 5, 1966, stayed at the new Holiday Inn, New Kensington, Pa. However, there will be no record of the identities of these people as they were all registered under assumed names. This was arranged by Paul Bazzano, who runs this motel. This Bazzano is the brother of Johnny Bazzano, who is married to Tony Ripepi’s daughter.

The only Ernie from Youngstown that I know personally who was connected to the Pittsburgh rackets was Ernest "Ernie B" Biondillo, who was shotgunned to death on orders from Youngstown crime boss Lenny Strollo on June 3rd, 1996. Ernie would have been 23 years old at the time of the Mannarino wedding. Very Interesting Maggie, thanks for sharing.

Ernie B was the only "Ernie" from Youngstown I ever knew. As far as "Jackie" goes: Your guess is as good as mine. The only Jackie I knew was from Niles/Warren, a pretty big "BM".

I am a bit surprised to hear that Ernie Biondillo would be invited at 23 years old to the wedding of Gabriel Mannarino's daughter. Unless he attended with Joey Naples or some of the "older" Youngstown contingent. When Ernie B was 23 years old, he was a mere stick up man and gopher for the fellas. Even when he was killed, he was considered a "close associate" but I think his power went out the window the day Joey Naples was gunned down in August of 1991. I know that Ernie was "highly upset" that he wasn't getting made and he felt that he and not Lenny Strollo should have taken over for Joey. Through my research, I come to find out that Henry as well as the top brass in Pittsburgh felt that Ernie drank too much and ignored "the rules." Any thoughts Friend of Henry?

I totally agree with all of the above. I'll guess that you're aware that Ernie was a "no fun drunk". Additionally Henry was even less fun. Thus he rarely drank. If Zebo had a friendly drink it would be a Harvey Bristol Cream on the rocks. Not a very potent drink and rarely more than just a couple. If and when he drank his real drink of choice was Chivas Royal Salute, very expensive and very potent. Needless to say I kept both on hand.

I was at the club one evening when Henry gave Ernie hell for drinking at work before they closed. He reminded him that of why he rarely drank, let alone at work.

I also believe that you're aware that he tried to tell Ernie that he needed to make peace with Lenny or he couldn't stop bad things from happening. He also assured Ernie that he would have nothing to do with anything bad that could happen. Obviously Ernie didn't listen. I never had an issue with Ernie. In fact I could only say good things, he was always fair with me.

Jcb, did you see my posts on HH. ?Also did Erie Biondillo have relatives in cleveland , Jack & Bobby ?Do you see any of cleveland guys ? I have breakfast w/ them once in awhile & I gather in some way that you were involved in cleveland family ? That is w/ respect & understanding , If you wish to answer . Also , did you see posts on the other guys i mentioned , who were the group after JW , Butchie ,Alliecon & others went away . You remember the big barbut games and gambling @ pineway trails ( which was delmontes family ? How bout the "gunshop on the hill ? You remember digravio ? I see his son peter often, he too has a pizza joint .Not that good either .

What is HH? Ernie had some brothers that all lived in Youngstown. Spadine, I knew a bunch of the old timers from Cleveland but only as a child and teenager. My great uncle who ran the Youngstown rackets for almost 4 decades was semi retired by the mid 1980's. so most of my dealings with them were at BBQ's, weddings, funerals. I'm 36 years old and I have been specifically researching the Pittsburgh/Youngstown/Cleveland contingent for about a decade. I have interviewed several members and former members for the purpose of our project. I definitely am more well versed with the Pittsburgh/Youngstown group than with the Cleveland group. I know who all the players were in Cleveland and have met some of them and know a lot of their children, but guys like you and Friend of Henry and some of the older fellas do tend to fill in some of the blanks.

After going through my files, I think I know who the guy from Youngstown named "Jackie" was that attended the Mannarino wedding. He was one of the trusted associates of Charles "Charlie Murgie" Imburgia named Jack Lorenzetti. He'd be 86 years old and he was a prominent associate of Charlie Imburgia and longtime bookmaker in the Trumbull County (Warren, OH) rackets. Charlie was one of the most feared and respected members of the LaRocca Family and "very close" with Kelly Mannarino, Sam Mannarino, Big John, Jo Jo Pecora and Michael Genovese.

HH was holiday house in shortform ! The sign had the big hh .If there are anythings to fill in blanks , ask & i will answer if i can . I se alot of cleve guys and on occasion share a meal . We love our food ! You ever come across the names of others i have provided you . What about George ( gigi) Argie ? Also in the article about Delmonte - titled rat in cleve scene mag. there were some others who are listed & in action w/ others now ! Also one question i have to ask your opinion on. After all research , what do you think of danny green ? Hes portrayed ad a folk like hero it seems - the guy was a piece . You do know, that he was undeniably an informant . He was not such the man as portrayed in the movie , nor were alot of the events as portrayed . Some close & others for show .

IMO, Danny Greene was nothing more than an Irish piece of shit who got what was coming to him. Like Whitey Bulger, like Mickey Spillane, like Jimmy Coonan and like Mickey Featherstone. Greene was certainly more brazen than the aforementioned names and flaunted his heritage more than anybody I ever heard of. Of course he was an informant, like Whitey. The only way for the Irish to truly compete with the Italian mob would have been to form partnerships with them and subsequently inform on them to get ahead.

I know Ronnie Carabbia personally, as he is a close family friend and his son is business partners with my cousin in Sky King Fireworks. I've spent holidays with him since his release from prison and have spent time with him in Sarasota during the winters. For those who don't know, Ronnie Carabbia was the guy who detonated the car bomb that blew Danny Greene into kingdom come and I've always wanted to ask him how he felt after finally popping that bastard, but I didn't want to step out of line either. Carabbia did 20+ years in the can and kept his mouth shut, then was paroled back in 2002. Here are a few articles:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2002/sep/24/poland-carabbia-is-let-out-of-prison/

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/05/12/loc_youngstown_mob_boss.html

You tell em JCB.

LOL...Thanks Scalish! It's true though, as LCN had more members nationwide than the Irish gangs. It still makes me laugh how they portray Whitey. There are certain forum members from the Boston area who "actually" believe that Whitey's criminal network was bigger than the Italian mafia. I can't even waste my time arguing with such stupidity anymore. IF guys like Patriarca wanted Whitey dead, he would have been an after thought in the grand scheme of things. Whitey was sensationalized in the media because he knew a corrupt FBI official from the neighborhood. Southie is filled with informants and heroin addicts...You could find more people on 110th Street in 1970's Harlem that had more honor than the Irish gangs in Southie, catch my drift?

I hear you brother, on this side of the border we don't have many Irish and the ones we do are just plain joe's for the most part.

Irish gangs are non existent on this side so we are fortunate lol.

Hey JCB , i agree !You know , i couldnt stomach Green , even though i was a young teen . (17 ) i would get those shit jobs on ships in the holds .
,&friggin flour & banana boats .it was his get back to the paisans .He was cocky w/his stinkin irish buddies . I know this it seemed every friggin irish guy was a cop or fireman & alot of judges too .I remember Ronnie & i know if i told him my relatives & remind him of a few incidents he would remember me ! I dont want to say too much on here though .He would give me a gross or so of the best dam m-100s & silver salutes ever( fireworks )You best describe green & irish though, for sure ! I tell you this there is a Kevin Mcmahon on cleve westside who has a group & doing business . For who is not clear but muscle for some & his own dealings .Similar as green but not as brazen or bold.Stay tuned !Ending though , why do they portray these irish pukes as folk lore types- ie green & bulger & others ?

You ginnys fucking kill me. Whiteys a rat just like any other ginzo gangsters and the real Irish gangsters never respected Bulger. JCB like ive told you before ask around do your research and find out how the Irish up here were. Ill never say the Italians were stronger than the Irish in Boston. You guys hear about Whitey and Southie and think thats the,only place the Irish had crews. All of Boston and surrounding cities are Irish and got nothing to do with Southie. And Im 100%positive there are way more Italian informants than there are Irish. Across the country, ginnys were the strongest, but not where Im from. So what are you saying the Irish and heroin go hand and? Look at Statan Island brother and New Jersey and all the painkiller and herion bust theyve had up there and its been the Italians getting busted. So watch your fucking mouth JCB.

I never said "all of Boston" I said Southie. I am aware of Cambridge, Charlestown etc. and like I previously stated, if Patriarca wanted somebody of Irish descent dead, he would have done it. Plus, I mentioned more NY guys than Southie if you read it. Don't jump into a thread and make threats nor use ethnic slurs, you sound like you belong in a home for special people.

JCB , got your back on this one . Theres no need for all the slurs . If people would read the posts as they come, they would get the whole story @ not jump at one post .Remember this , they say more italian rats , but not true . For some reason every cop and fireman are irish . With all irish cops protecting their own , info was given to them bout italian crews , so they could do their business just like green .With co. prosecutors. judges & such who are irish , well they stuck it to italians .Look. @ irish flag- its green , white & washed out red , old italian flag we gave you cuz wr felt bad ! Irish = I rish I were Italian !

Ill jump on whatever thread i read and see you mention Boston. Ethnic slurs, are you shitting me buddy, Irish and Italians call eachother mics, paddys, ginnys, ginzos and so on. Your the one dogging the Irish on this thread so dont cry when someone says something back to you. I sound like I belong in a special home, Im on a cell phone pal, i dont need to type all proper for you smart guy. And Spadine if you dont know why the Irish were politicians, cops, firemen and union heads and members, then you dont understand the origin of organized crime.

Again, if you read my statement, you'd see I was referring to "Whitey's gang" as well as the Westies. Got no beef with the other crews around the Boston area. Plus, I referred to them as the Irish, never threw out any disrespect to Irish people...hell, they have given this country St. Patty's day, a great excuse to act like drunk idiots for a day. But Southie was filled with rats...PERIOD!

Yes , I do know why . Im not correcting your spelling either, mine ain that great & i use abbreviations . As to my post , i was speaking about the inner workings in cleveland . And as to the portrayal specifically about bulger & green , no others . For some odd reason they madee them out to be like some kinda hero or folklore person.You can check some recent articles in cleve papers & such as to the cuyahoga county scandal which is still ongoing . I believe JCB posted some links prior . The guy is good at what he does & his posts are based on factual research . Which most i know to be true as to my dealings . You dont have to agree , we all have opinions & that is what keeps the thread going .There was a witch hunt on the Italians conducted by the Irish here in cleveland & allowed irish crews to continue their business . Mcmahon has friggin a whole cpd in his pocket along w/ some judges & aldermen . As i say , the cleve lcn wasnt afraid of green , he was a thorn in their side & because they were greedy & cheap - well you know the outcome .In fairness some of the biggest rats were italian in frattiano & lonardo - and its a friggin shame

Anyway, let's keep this thread to memories and stories of the Holiday House in Pittsburgh.

AMEN!!!

The Irish have given this country a ton, you really want to turn this into a history lesson. Saying the Irish gave us St. Pattys day is another shot at them. Id love for you to meet some real people up here JCB. You guys all think Whitey and Winter Hill are synonymous, but they arent. Winter Hill was the Somerville Irish and Italians . Southie does have plenty of stand up fellas, but because the ones that did rat were all over the news it makes Southie look worse than it is. Howie Winter wasnt considered the number 2 man in New England next to old man Ray for no reason. We dont look at Whitey the same way the media,portrays him. He was very,powerful during his reign, but we know the truth when it comes to that whole story. Theres plenty of serious Irish players still around up here and its got nothing to do with Southie. Ill let you guys get back to the Holiday House, but just respect what I have to say cause its fact and if you were a,part of this life in Boston, then you know the real story and how it was.

Listen Ville, I wasn't taking a shot at the Irish regarding St. Patty's day. I was serious. One of my best friends is Irish to the kilt, so I have no beef with the Irish. I can't say the same thing about some of my family (as they are old school), but I got no issues with Irish people. I made a statement about Southie being filled with rats, and I am one of millions who would say the same thing. I realize how Boston had more Irish immigrants than Italians and I've said a thousand times that the real power in the New England underworld came from Providence, not Boston. Regarding LCN, it certainly appears that the bosses from Boston can't stay out of prison for whatever reason, or turn states evidence. I agree with you that the Irish in "Boston" were as strong if not stronger than the Italians in Boston, but no where near as strong as the Providence faction, especially when Ray Sr. was in charge. Before you accuse me of having a bone to pick with the Irish, I will make it known that I have never had a problem with Irish people and I know for certain that Boston has long been dominated by the Irish crews around the cities. I will also make it known that I have no respect for Whitey or his crew and it makes me want to vomit seeing this fuckstick get the media attention he gets. I feel the same way about Danny Greene, Mickey Featherstone and Jimmy Coonan, so there is no bias. You know and I know that Boston Italian Organized Crime has been a "clusterfuck" at best for many years, going back to Angiulo, Frank Salemme and the cheese eating fat fucks known as the DiNunzios. To be honest, I hope the Irish wipe those idiots off the face of the planet.

Will someone/anyone please explain to me how this Post, "Pittsburgh's Holiday House", got so far off topic?

Because a Boston native chimed in on the Irish after a mention of Danny Greene and Whitey Bulger...we're back on track as of now.

Thank you ;-)

I just found this thread from 2014, great stuff!
JCB - can you reshare that pic of Genovese coming out of the Holiday House? The link is a bad one now.
It would be great to see those wedding pictures from that reception!

Wow, how time flies. I believe this was not only my first post here but on any one of these"Mob" sites.
I'd love to see whatever you might have of the actual wedding pics. Maybe spot some of my old friends :-)