The Bonanno Family Organization circa 1956-1968

In keeping with the spirit of NYMAFIA's plea to the members of the forum, I have taken it upon myself to create a general "Family Hierarchy" during the period of when the were probably most powerful (1956) going into their first tumultuous period of the late 1960s. This is based on the best possible research I have available and is by no means the Bible on this subject matter. It will probably be as close as anyone has done this particularly at least. All the names on the list have at least two sources. I hope this encourages people to examine this and the other Families more thoroughly. I'd like to see this done for the other "outfits". Anways, Here goes......

The Joseph Bonanno Crime Family circa 1956-1968

Upper Echelon Members of Various Leadership Roles
1.) JOE BONANNO (Head Leader/Boss, Rackateer/Legitimate Businessman and Overseer of the Organization, with Criminal and Political Connections across the Country and Strong Familial Ties to Sicily. known Joe Bananas/Peppino)
2.) FRANCESCO GAROFALO ( Underboss/organizer of International Family Affairs known as Frank Carroll)
3.) CARMINE GALANTE (Leader of Canadian Faction/control of the Heroin racket. known as Lilo)
4.)JOHN TARTAMELLA ( Consigliere of the Family/control of the Babers union)
5.) GASPAR DI GREGORIO (Longtime Capo/NY Faction Leader, strong connections to the Commission)
6.) GIOVANNI MORALE (Leader of Bonanno Loyalist Faction/Street crew known as Johnny Burns)

CAPOREGIME
NATALE "JOE DIAMOND" EVOLA.
PAUL SCIACCA
PHILLIP " RUSTY" RASTELLI.
SALVATORE "BILL" BONANNO
FRANK LABRUZZO.
THOMAS "SMITTY" DI ANGELO
ANGELO CARUSO.
JOSEPH "LITTLE JOE" NOTARO
MATTEO VALVO
GIOVANNI BONVENTRE.
JOSEPH " BAYONNE JOE" ZICARELLI
FRANK MARI.
NICOLO ALFANO
JOHN AQUARO.
VIC "THE EGG" COTRONI
MICHELE "MIKE" SABELLA
GIUSEPPE DE FILLPO.
VINCENT TARANTOLA

SOLDATO/SOLDIERS (Membership spread across over a dozen crew in territory across the U.S. Brooklyn, NY. Tucson, Arizona. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Montreal, Canada. San Jose, California. Miami, Florida. Cuba. Castellamare Del Golfo, Sicily)

The Criminal expertise: International Drug Trafficking, Legitimate Business (Dairy Factory, Funeral Parlor, Trucking, Bakery, Babershop) infiltration, LoanSharking, Gambling (sports betting and Numbers, Games) Hijacking/Fencing, Bank/credit Fraud, Pornography, Robbery.

The New York Faction (The Core of the group based in mainly in Brooklyn, headed by faction leaders DI GREGORIO (rebel group), LABRUZZO (Bonanno Loyalist) and CARUSO (Old Timers/Neutral), with shifting loyalties )

MICHAEL "MIKE BRUNO" CONSOLO.
SALVATORE GRIPPI
ANTHONY RIELA.
ANGELO "LITTLE MOE" PRESENZANO
MICHAEL "MIKE ADAMS" ADAMO.
VINCENT CASESSE
ROSARIO "SALLY BURNS" MORALE.
NICK CASTELLO
EPIFANIO "FRANK" DI ANGELO
ALFONSE DEMARINES.
MICHAEL BONFONDEO
JOSEPH "JOE CHICK" DI GIOVANNA
GUISEPPE BUCCELATO.
VINCENZO ASARO
FRANK "CHOW" MANCINO
VINCENT "JIMMY" DEPASQUALE.
PIETRO "SKINNY PETE" CROCIATA
ANGELO SALVO.
JACK LANGOBARDI
VITO DE FILLPO
ANTHONY CALABRO
GAETANO "TONY" LISI
DOMENICO "MIMI" SABELLA.
SALVATORE GIGLIO
GIOVANNI "JOHN BENNETT" PETRONE
VINCENZO "VINCENT ADAMO" MORSELLINO
MICHAEL "MICKEY" ZAFFARANO
JAMES GALANTE.
VITO GRIMALDI.
ANTHONY "TONY D" DI GREGORIO
STEFANO "STEVIE BEEFS" CANNONE
JOSPEH SPADARO.
TONY CANZONERI
ARMONDO POLLASTRINO.
NICHOLAS "THE BATTLER" DI STEFANO
EUGENE TRAMANGLINO
"BIG" WILLIAM RIVIELLO.
FRANK BONOMO
ANDREW "ANDY CURLEY" BUCARO
ANTHONY RABITO.
ANGELO LAPI
IGNAZIO "SONNY" CANNONE.
VINCENT "FORT LEE JIMMY" CAPASSO
SERENO "BOBBY T" TARTAMELLA.
FRANK "FRANKIE 500" TELLERI
PAOLO CAMPANELLA.
GIRALOMO "JERRY" ASARO
NICHOLAS BUTTAFUCCO.
BIAGO RESTIVO
PIETRO "PETER" LICATA.
MICHELE "MICHAEL ANGELO" ANGELINA
MICHAEL "THE SAILOR" CASALE.
NICHOLAS "NICKY GLASSES" MARANGELLO
ANTHONY CRISCI.
PIETRO BONVENTRE
CAMILLO SARDEGNA
JOSPEH "JIMMY" GENNA
JOHN GRANELLO
JAMES "BLACK JIM" COLLETTI
CONSTENZO VALENTE.
STEFANO "STEVE" MENNA
RALPH DUCE
GUISEPPE GRIMALDI
VINCENT GAROFALO
PHILLIP "PHIL LUCKY" GIACCONE
WILLIAM DARA.
GEORGE "GEORGIE LEFTY" RIZZO
IGNAZIO DEPASQUALE
VICTOR TRAMANGLINO
JOSEPH "JOE" DI MARIA
GIOVANNI "JOHN" FIORDILLINO
FRANK "PARDINI" PRESENZANO
MARTIN BONVENTRE
ANTONIO "NINO" ADAMO
PASQUALE "PATSY" GIGANTI
VITTORIO "VICTOR" ANELLO
CARMINE RUSSO
SALVATORE AMICO
JOHN CAMPANELLA
MATTEO DI GREGORIO
BENJAMIN "CONEY ISLAND BENNY" VALVO
CHARLES "CHARLIE FISH" DI BERNARDO
MARIENELLO "MARTY" RASTELLI
JAMES DI ANGELO
SALVATORE IPPOLITTO
JOSEPH STABILE
GIUSEPPE ASARO
VITO BONVENTRE II
FRANCESCO CROCIATA
JOSEPH "JOE PARKER" MORSELLINO
ANTHONY ARENA
FRANK MISTRETTA
PHILLIP TARTAGLIA
SALVATORE MARCHESE
MICHAEL "BIG MIKE" ALLEGATO
VINCENT "TAPPY" SOVIERO
FRANK TARTAMELLA
ANTHONY LUCIDO
JOSEPH MESSINA


THE West Coast Faction (generally Bonanno Regime Loyalist led by Salvatore Bonanno) (Territories in Tuscon,Ar. San Diego, CA. San Jose, Ca.)

CARLO "BUDDY" SIMARI.
SAMUEL "HANK" PERRONE
PETER CINQUEMANI
CHARLES BATTAGLIA
VITO MULE
NICK GUASTELLA
PETER NOTARO.
JOSEPH GENOVESE.
SANTO MANFRE.
PETER MAGADDINO
PIETRO SCIORTINO
ANTHONY TARANTOLA
ANGELO MONTE
PROSPECT MULE
GIUSEPPE VENZA
SALVATORE MIRABILE.
ANTONIO BELLO.
PATRICK DE FILLPO
MICHAEL CONSENZA
GASPAR MAGADDINO
ROSARIO "RUSSELL" ANDALORO
GIOVANNI "JOHN" DIBELLA
NICHOLAS "NICK ZAPARANA" ZAFFARANO
ANTONIO "SHORT PANTS" CACIOPO
SALVATORE "MARTIN" BRUNO
ANTHONY SCIUTO



International Guys (members with influence/business interests in Montreal, Canada. Tijuana, Mexico. Cuba. Sicily)

FRANK GAROFALO* (the "Sotto-Capo" and overseer of drug trade based in Castellamare Del Golfo Sicily)
VINCENZO MORSELLINO* (sleeper Drug trafficker with ties Sicily)
GIOVANNI "JOHN BENNETT" PETRONE* (traveler and Representative of the Family)
FRANK DASTI (montreal Faction)
LUIGI GRECO (montreal Faction)
LOUIS "RUBY" GRECO (montreal Faction)
VIC COTRONI* (montreal powerhouse connection/Boss)
FRANK COTRONI (montreal faction)
GUISEPPE "PEP" COTRONI (montreal faction)
ANTONIO RIZZUTO (montreal faction)
MICHAEL CASALE* (traveler/international messenger)
VINCENT TARANTOLA* ( in control of cuban and Miami interest)
CHARLES BATTAGLIA* ( Operations in Mexico)
TONY CRISCI* (International drug tracking/ ties in Sicily)
PIOLO VIOLI ( montreal faction/Cotroni Capo)
ANTHONY MARULLI (deported Canadian contact/Galante Loyalist)
FRANK "CHOW" MANCINO* (Brooklyn trafficker/strong Canadian connection)


The Associates ( of varying power, influence or importance.... some may have been made but I didn't see enough information on it.)

Benjamin "lefty guns" Ruggiero.
Joseph Massino
Anthony Mirra.
Alfred Embarratto
Alphonse "sonny red" Indelicato.
Dominick " sonny black" Napolitano
Thomas Pitera.
Emanuel " Manny" Guaragna
James "jimmy" Esiscopia.
Anthony Graziano
Anthony Spero.
George Di Benedetto
Peter Monteleone.
Salvatore Catalano
Gerlando Sciascia.
Gerald " Jerry" Chilli
John Zancocchio.
Salvatore Vitale
Antonio "boots" Tomasulo


Remember this is Not the Gospel but I can assure you it was thoroughly researched. Of Course, the true membership is lost to history but I believe this is a true representation of the Family's membership at the time. And If you know stories of these lesser known figures, you'll see the Bonannos were a underrated and little understood organization (compared to the other Families).
ALSO REMEMBER! This is a "Circa" time frame so if certain people aren't where they really were, it is more of a generalization of their known rank and perceived importance during this time period.

Tell stories and add forgotten names in the thread!
Hopefully the Other Families can be done this way.

I'm fucking proud of you brother!... good job! You actually nailed many of their lesser known members which is good.

And thank you for taking what I said seriously and stepping up. If we all contribute a little bit, this forum is gonna be an ass-kicking place to hang out and something to really be proud of. And it becomes more enjoyable for everyone involved!

So Don Peppino I salute you!.... and as Don Vito once said, "I am forever in your debt" Lol

Anthony Riela is an interesting character. A few months ago i requested an article about him to NYMafia but, unfortunately, there wasn't enough material to write about him. That's how low key he was.

He is the one who set up the meeting between the Milwaukee Boss Frank Balistrieri and Lefty and Donnie Brasco. It's very interesting how the whole thing was done. It's a good illustration of the mafia protocol and connection throughout the country.

Riela was first an associate of the Rockford Family then he moved to New Jersey and got made with the Bonnano. In order to set up a meeting with Balistrieri, the Bonnano had to get the Ok from Chicago, because Milwaukee answered to Chicago. Since Riela was well connected to Chicago, the Bonnano used him to reach out to the Outfit.

At the time, there were some tensions between the Rockford family and Milwaukee so Chicago thought that the Bonnano request was a good opportunity to patch things up between the two families. So instead of reaching to Milwaukee directly, Chicago asked Riela to go through the Rockford family to set up the meeting, which he did.

In the book, Pistone talked about the first meeting with Balistrieri and it happened during a dinner where made guys from Rockford were there to make the introduction.

Grazie 🥃

Anthony Riela was suspected of attending Apalachin in 57'. Its not hard to believe because Bonanno and Joe Barbara were compare and similar in business. I am sure that it was a lot of connections between the families at that time because of the Castellamarese connections.
Riela had many connections across the country. New Jersey was a hot bed for alot of powerful guys. It often makes me wonder if, all the the collective guys in New Jersey were ONE Family. Even if the Decavalcante's could take just one of the great crews from each family in NJ. They would've really been powerful.

The Bonannos had a decent presence in NJ with the likes of:
Joe Zicarelli
Matteo Valvo
Anthony Riela
Angelo Salvo

Seems like when rusty was out in 1984 as boss he was really not that well respected in my head. Fat tony was crushing him on wiretap. Sales Vitale said he held court in a park alot. Maybe he was smart never got caught going to the sit downs. Maybe he wasn't even invited. Yet the other bosses allowed his family to make alot of guys in 76 77 ect

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Correct, Riela and Salvo lived in NJ for decades, Joseph (Bayonne Joe) Zicarelli actually lived in Cliffside Park. Besides those you named above were these additional goodfellas;

Gabriel (Gabe) Infanti lived in Bloomfield
Nicolino (Nick) Alfano lived in Englewood Cliffs
Ralph Duce also lived in Englewood Cliffs
John Caltagirone lived in Belleville
Vincent (Fort Lee Jimmy) Capasso lived in you guessed it "Fort Lee" lol
I also think Johnny Campanella lived in Jersey for awhile as well

And remember, thats not counting the "associates" who were actually around these guys in their personal crews. So they did have a presence albeit not a huge one as some other crews.

Also, because NJ was so close to Downtown Manhattan, there were other Bonanno guys who came from the Mulberry Street area who jumped right over the bridge to Fort Lee, or from Staten Island to Jersey as well who I'll leave unnamed. They commuted the few miles back and forth daily to hang along Elizabeth Street that had heavy Bonanno influence and in the 4th ward area.

It's implied Chin told Fat Tony to veto Rusty's attempts to join the Commission.

@Dob_Peppino I am assuming the Bonannos had about 180 to 250 made men at the time of the Valachi hearings. During the Banana Wars, didn't Magaddino attempt to take over Montreal as well?

I read somewhere (maybe "A Man of Honor) that Gasparino was arrested at Apalachin and initially misidentified as Joe Bonanno because Bonanno had given him his driver's license to renew before he left for his "vacation" in Italy. Gasparino stuck it in his wallet and forgot about it.

The Bonanno Family never had a strong NJ presence. They had powerful members who resided in NJ but never a strong NJ crew. Throughout most of their history Capos out of the Bronx or Brooklyn were given NJ members as a part of their crew.

If I had to historically rank mafia families by the most influence in the State of New Jersey I would say......
#1. Genovese
#2. Philadelphia
#3 Decavalcante
#4 Lucchese
#5 Gambino
#6 Bonanno
#7 Colombo

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Hey its the Colonel!...Good to see you my friend.

I do differ from your view of the top regimes and strength in NJ. The Lucchese did have a very strong faction serving under Anthony Accetturo/Taccetta and Perna brothers with at least 10-12 good fellas and numerous associates. But the Gambino's ran many crews in Jersey, all of whom were just as large or larger as well.

Good examples of what I'm talking about are their presence in Northern New Jersey:

Capo Joseph (Joe) Paterno ran a huge crew for decades. He was a very well respected and low key leader.

Capo Anthony (Little Tony) Carminati also ran a big crew in No. Jersey.

Capo Frank Perrone was another low key, almost invisible leader for the Gambino's who ran his own regime.

Among the more notable of their inducted soldiers were Frank (The Bear) Basto, Robert (Bobby Cabert) Bisaccia, Francesco (Frank) Rappa, James (Jimmy Higgins) Palmieri, Frank (Butch) MIceli, Joseph (Demus) Covello, to name but a few. Collectively the ran a large crew of associates. Several of these solders later rose up to take over these crews with the death or retirement of Paterno, etc., such as Bisaccia.
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In Southern New Jersey they had a huge presence as well, albeit a lower keyed one.

Capo Giovanni (John) Gambino and his two brothers Guiseppe and Rosario (Sal) oversaw an extremely large regime probably numbering twenty or better made men. Many of whom were Sicilians under the Gambino Family flag and inducted themselves. The also oversaw numerous associates.

Capo Antonino (Nino) Inzerillo was another near shadow capo until his disappearance. He helped control several interlocking regimes of the "Zip" faction of the Family in South Jersey area of Cherry Hill, etc.

Good examples of the soldiers under their control were the Inzerillo brothers, and the Adamita brothers. Others include surnames like Gallina, Sollena, and Buscetta. And I am just touching on the surface of their South Jersey regimes membership.
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The Colombo's also had a "official" crew in Jersey under longtime capo Salvatore Profaci. Jersey Sal ran a regime numbering maybe 8-10 good fellas, with some associates. So I agree the Colombo Family were technically the smallest yet because of the Profaci name were still a formidable bunch. Very, very integrated in legitimate industry there. Remember that his dad owned a 328 acre estate in the Hightstown area back in the day if I'm not mistaken. So the "Profaci" footprint was stable as well.

Maybe even more significant than the Bonanno's. I make that case because the Colombo's had such members as the elder Salvatore (Tutti) Lombardino who was a powerhouse in his own right. He attended the 1928 Cleveland meeting. He was a top boss.

Also his sons Tutti Lombardino Jr. and Rosario Lombardino, and soldiers Emmanuel (Nello) Cammarata, Angelo Speciale, Joseph (Joe Yak) Yacovelli, James (Jimmy Ski) Scianna, Profaci cousin Salvatore (Fat Sal) Profaci, Gus Spatafora, shadow soldier Guiseppe (Joe) Leone, They also had James (Jimmy Ran) Randazzo the son of old time original Vincenzo Randazzo. Also Michael Piancone was a key Profaci operative overseeing Roma Foods, Inc. for him.

In later years of course the added the Cagno brothers and Peter (Petey Black) Campisi and his brother to the mix.

On review and balance I think I'd even place the Colombo regime above the Bonanno presence in New Jersey. For as you stated earlier many Bonanno's lived in Jersey yet operated in NYC almost exclusively. Whereas the Colombo's I mentioned were all knee-deep in New Jersey racket operations. So my list would look something like this:

Genovese (appx. 5 regimes)
Gambino. (5 regimes)
DeCavalcante (ranked #3 because they're homegrown, NJ is the base. They have at least 25-30 NJ based made members in 3-4 regimes and over 100 associates)
Philadelphia. (smaller overall membership in NJ although they were always very active there)
Lucchese. (1 large regime)
Colombo. (1 mid-sized regime) But ran Roma Foods (a firm active in 20-25 states with a multi-multimillion dollar annual volume)
Bonanno. (Joe Bayonne was their main guy, and he was mostly a soldier. Riela was a soldier - influential but a soldier. I'm not even sure they had a regime in NJ)
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This is my take on it. Of course this is subjective. None of us know for certain the exact strength of any crew. And from era to era the power shifted a bit as well. But I think overall this was a valid picture of the New Jersey underworld landscape.
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one additional thing I'd say is that we both agree on the Genovese being the most prominent crew in Jersey. Many top bosses of that borgata actually lived there. Jerry Catena, Willie Moretti, Chin Gigante, Tommy Eboli, Tony Bender, etc.

And other very important capos ruled with an iron fist such as Ruggiero Boiardo, Eugene Catena, Gyp DiCarlo, Louis Gatto, Bobby Manna, Tino Fiumara, Pepe Sabato, etc., etc. They always were, and still are the powerhouses of the Garden State.

Could you imagine How much more powerful The Decavalcante's would have been even if they just had Richie "The Boot"? Let alone, more of those various heavyweights in his organization.

Yep. They would have been a force. Maybe THE force in all of No.Jersey

I have come up to around 125 names from various sources. I am still researching and adding as needed. The number is debatable. I could believe, if you include the names of some old timers who were active at the time and some guys who were true "sleepers" and are lost to history. It could be over 200 but I am, this is the core of it. I'm sure I will come across some names later. I'm sure that there is a hidden heavy as well. They will be added.

Bonanno had control over Montreal and tried to go into Toronto which was Magaddino's territory. Magaddino did have presence and tried to create some stink in Momtreal. It was all based on Bonanno's ambitions and Magaddino's jealousy.

The more research I am doing, the more I am uncovering a low key partnership between Joe Bonanno himself and the Denver Family. At least on a legitimate basis, the had interest in the Dairy industry and co-owned a factory. There are also several individuals who are apart of the Northwestern Family who have been labeled as members of this organization. I know because of the Sicilian ties, there was a connection between this outfit and Bonanno.

It would be interesting to have the landscape of NJ thoroughly laid out. It seems that the most of the NY regimes were more powerful then the Decavalcantes. Add the othe crews on and compared to what actually was available, the NJ Family got left with nothing really.

I would also love to see Philadelphia and Detroit particularly during this period laid out. Thats would be fascinating IMO

Bonanno had good ties to the Bay Area mob families (San Jose and San Francisco) and had a crew of 20 or so guys in Arizona, so it's no doubt he really wanted to control the Los Angeles mob as well. Wonder how Chicago (Accardo), Philly (Angelo Bruno), and Boston (Patriarca) would have reacted had Bonanno clipped off Gambino and Lucchese, and then New York City subsequently squeezing them out of Las Vegas and California.

What was Bonanno's relationship with Frankie Balistrieri after being shipped off to Arizona?

All those Families seemed to be playing the fence (especially Bruno and Zerilli) during this situation. Chicago was kicking up alittle dust about Vegas and Arizona particularly orchestrating some bombings in Tuscon. But they weren't aggressive about a resolution of the conflict or Commission Issues.

I Think If Bonanno was able to quel the Families by situating the Leadership problems, the other Families would go along until another NY Family dealt with Bonanno.

Bonanno had a pleasant relationship with the Milwaukee boss prior to Balistrieri. He operated some dairy factories in Wisconsin, so they at least had a working relationship. I do know, Balistrieri made complaints about Bonanno invading territory and was alleged to be involved in some of the bombing in Tuscon.

I gotta tell ya fellas, that to this day I find the accusation that Bonanno plotted the double murders of Tommy Lucchese and Carlo Gambino a bit farfetched to say the least.

Joe Bonanno was a highly independent and high-handed operator for sure. The accusation that he was "planting flags all over the world" in regards to his ambitions in Canada, Arizona, Southern California and elsewhere are extremely plausible to me.

But even Bonanno was not that whacky, or that much of a loose cannon to think that he could kill 2 TOP NYC bosses and get away with that. There would have been an epic mob war that would have made the Castellammarese War, all three Profaci/Colombo Wars, and the Banana War combined look like child's play! And THATS the truth.

I do not doubt that because there was already complaints from Frank DeSimone of LA, and Steve Magaddino of Buffalo that Bonanno was trying to usurp some of their authority and encroach a bit of their fiefdoms or territories, that the devious Gambino (ever the master tactician and Machiavellian plotter) collaborated with his sons father-in-law Lucchese to put out the word that Bonanno and Magliocco had plotted their executions.

Magliocco was a weak sister, and by himself Bonanno stood little chance of winning any Commission dispute. Gambino had an eye toward coveting more Brooklyn territory that he knew both Bonanno and Magliocco controlled. Remember that there were traditionally three Families operating in Kings County; Profaci, Bonanno, Gambino. If Carlo could swing the day, his borgata could slowly but surely inch up on each of the other 2 families operations and rackets.

He did so by having Magliocco thrown out of his post and installing the somewhat "puppet" leader captain Joe Colombo who now owed fealty to Gambino. He essentially sought to do the same to Bonanno's Family by creating havoc from within.

History shows us that in the ensuing years Carlo Gambino was pivotal to the selections of future Bonanno "acting bosses" who also owed allegiance to Gambino. He was a very shrewd "fox"!

I just feel that the alleged plot was NOT what Gambino and Lucchese "claimed" it was to the other Commission members. This was done to "ace out" Bonanno from his standing on that Commission. Remember that once Profaci had died, Bonanno was left without a strong ally. When alive Profaci was a staunch Bonanno supporter and vice versa. They made sure to protect each other from their enemies on the Commission.

Gambino and Lucchese NEVER would have even attempted such a coup, let alone won such a coup! But after Joe Profaci's death Bonanno was essentially left on a raft out in the ocean by himself without a paddle. Even his cousin Magaddino went against him. THAT was the last nail in his coffin. Magaddino abandoning Bonanno was the last straw and the pivotal action that emboldened the Gambino-Lucchese axis to move against Joe Bonanno.

He basically had the entire world go against him - the whole Commission. Even Joe Zerilli out of Detroit backed up on him because once Profaci died Zerilli no longer had any "dog in the fight" so to speak. And no loyalty left or obligation to Bonanno.

Just my informed opinion. My two cents! Lol

Totally agree NYMAFIA

@NYmafia
The ironic thing about Joe Magliocco is, they say in the late 20's/early 30's, he was placed with Joe Profaci to be his "street presence" and really "school" Profaci on the ways of the street. Because Joe Profaci wasn't a true street gangster, it just makes it funny when you call Magliocco a "weak sister". This is why I say the workings of the early era of this Family needs to be examined more.

That's the thing with Joe Magliocco, by the mid 1950s he was a shell what he was in the 1920s till that point. He is still a chief suspect in the murder of Peter Leone, rumored to have been a heavy hitter, which throws a wrench in it was all Albert Anastasia crew since Joe Florino, Double A's top gunman is the prime suspect in the Joe Peraino shooting. Regardless, Magliocco was a major force and his father Giovanni is rumored to have been made, which would explain the Magliocco-D'Agati situation where nothing happened to John after he killed Frank, although there is a lot more is to that.

I believe that in his early life Magliocco was indeed a capable mafioso. And don't think for a second that he "carried" Profaci, because Joe Profaci was in deed a capable mafioso and a cagy one at that. With a family history dating back to Villabate, Sicily, that saw members of his blood family as members of the "Zubbio" who were a network of mafia members who ruled over that village, Profaci was indeed a mafioso through and through. That was one of the reasons why he was not only immediately accepted within Americas mafia community but also almost immediately elevated to a "position".

Magliocco served as Profaci's underboss for 30 years. I'm certain his tenure would never have lasted had he not been a capable man in his own right. But without Profaci's backing, and as he aged into his sixty's, he was no longer the "man" he once was. I also have the feeling that although he may have been a great "second banana" he himself was not boss material. I don't think he was a "thinker". Magliocco was a great follower and executed Profaci's dictates unfailingly. But left to his own devices he wasn't that capable navigating the machinations of mafia life.

He certainly was not up for a "match of wits" against Gambino and Lucchese thats for certain anyway. And I believe he may have leaned on Bonanno for guidance. Bonanno knew these facts and may have steered him accordingly, to Magliocco's own detriment in the end result.

Agreed. By that late era he was already aging. He was fat in both wealth and girth, and no longer had the fire required to navigate the family.

But he was a more than capable guy. If he wasn't, Magliocco and his brothers would never have been able to accumulate the extensive wealth they did by developing the wide swath and myriad of major businesses within varied industries that he (and by proxy they) did.

And as I stated in the my other post I do think Magliocco made a great underboss or #2. He just may not have had the savvy or vision to sit at the apex of a borgata as he was required to do after Profaci's death.

Here is a biography I wrote about his life. I think it spells it out better than I can expound on here:

https://thenewyorkmafia.com/giuseppe-magliocco/

Interesting. I knew that I saw/heard that about Magliocco was a street guy during the prohibition era. That time frame with the Colombos is a weak spot for me. Because I know all the Families have a rich history, I know The Profaci's are no different but less examined.

That's a crazy dynamic within itself. The Profaci/Colombo Family has ALWAYS had a major dangerous element and a sorta factioned Family, even from the beginning you see the precursors of the later drama in the 50s/60s. There's Profaci's relatives/supporters, a group that followed the rules but generally didn't respect him and a young element that were apart of establishment Mafia politics/renegades. They had a dangerous crew with Profaci and Magliocco at the top. From a street point of those problems were bound to happen.

@NYmafia
Do you agree with my sentiment that Joe Profaci also had a shaky position as Boss? Or do you believe he had firm control over the underbelly of his Family for a time?

I believe that Profaci had rock solid control over this smaller borgata for nearly 30 years. And until the advent of the Gallo brothers and a few other malcontents, the family ran smooth as silk. His Bensonhurst, Bayridge, Coney Island, Red Hook, Williamsburg base was comprised of men very, very loyal to him. Old-timers (all tough guys) who did his bidding unfailingly.

Was he a cheap guy? Absolutely! But so were other bosses of the era. In fact most other bosses and leaders gave their soldiers shit in the way of compensation. He was heavy handed also in the way of stipends and money his men were required to kick up to him.

His reputation was besmirched with the info that came out during the Gallo-Profaci war as being a miser, cheap, miserable, etc. But Bonanno, Genovese, Mussachio, Aloi, Anastasia, Scalise, etc etc were all the same.

Only Frank Costello and Tommy Lucchese stand out as being very, very generous to their rank and file. Hence the love shown them by their men. Were there other generous guys, a few that I know of. But by and large bosses then, as now, give you ZERO!

Associates, soldiers, and even capos kick up to them. Not the other way around.
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When my father, cousins, and uncles were active, they each were required to kick in appropriately and steadily to their respective families. The only difference being that generally speaking my family were big earners in their own right, and didn't need a handout, or be put into a racket or business to make a living.

In fact they generally avoided getting involved in rackets and activities with other guys for fear of exposure because of the shear stupidity of others, or fear of getting pulled into a criminal probe. They much preferred to use their "positions" to just augment their own activities. And they kicked up envelopes from afar. Or at least as far as they could stay from the "flame" of the hierarchy which was always under the scrutiny of law enforcement.

It's possible Vito Genovese or Tommy Ryan would have started a 2nd Castellammarese War had Bonanno won. West Side would probably not want like another family that's bigger than them.

Sure, its possible that They may have done something but also remember that Gambino was responsible for Genovese going to prison. So its also possible he would've have been fine with the move, if it were to really take place.

VINCENZO "VINCENT" TARANTOLA
was a blood relative of the Boss, Joe Bonanno. For a time he lived and represented the Family in Cuba in the mid-50s. He became a Capo and had dealings with the likes of Santo Trafficante Jr. on the island. After the fall of the Cuban operations due to the end of Bautista's reign, Tarantola relocated to the Family home base, Brooklyn. He remained loyal throughout the "Bananas War". Several of his children and other relatives remained in allegiance to Joe Bonanno in Arizona.

Gambino was in no way responsible for Genovese going to prison. If Vito had any inkling at all that he was set up anyone and everyone involved would have been hit like Costello, Anastasia and Moretti were.

Wasn't Vic Cotroni a capo for the Bonanno family as well

Vic Cotroni was reported to be a Capo for the Bonannos in Canada. But seeing as to he was actually a boss of his own Family, I felt he better fit under the "International guys" classification with the others from the Montreal faction

The word on the streets is Costello, Lucchesse, Gambino conspired to get Genovese in prison. Whether its true or not, doesn't matter because Genovese was removed from the situation. And by this time Genovese's "supposed Loyalist" like Tony Bender Strollo felt it more lucrative to go into business for himself. This is also the beginning of the whole "sleeper" powers truthfully running the Family in the shadows. There was so many powerhouses in that Family, I'm sure they (alot) were glad to see Vito go. Nobody wants to deal with a tyrant after have years of relative peaceful prosperity under Costello.

Very true the borgata had a good thing under Costello. He was loose handed with them and not demanding of monies because he was so wealthy in his own right. He left his underboss Moretti and other top capos mostly in charge. Everybody ate, and most everybody was happy.

Vito came back and through shear strength of character and raw fear mobilized and whipped his "Napolitano" faction into a cadre of supporters in order to move against Costello for the leadership..... the rest is history

I am currently working on the daunting task of putting threads together for the very powerful and super intricate Genovese and Gambino Family during this era. They were interesting and complex even then.

@NYmafia I have an observation. Do you think that the Bonannos were "quasi" punished for the Castellamarese War? Besides Joe B. only want people from a specific region in Sicily, it seems that after the war, most of the big time earners were in Lucianos camp. Alot of the big players in other Families were Associates and "placed" with the other crews namely Anastasia and Lucchesse (I know he was with Gagliano before hand but he was closer with the young turks). Meanwhile, the Bonannos were always squeezed in by the other Families and Joe became very prosperous outside New York. Could that have been by design? And could Bonanno's action had been a reaction to the scenario he was placed in? Bonanno was protected by his lineage and so he was in a perfect position to be elevated to Boss, Meanwhile keeping a lid on guys Luciano didn't know, didn't want too or couldn't work with

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I don't think that was the case. What I do believe was that what later became known as the Bonanno crew were comprised of mafioso primarily from Castellammare del Golfo who were just very insular among themselves, much more so than the American-bred or Italian mainland members who were not strictly Sicilian but varied from different parts of Italy. The Genovese for instance had a huge contingent of Calabrians and Neopolitans, as well as many Jewish hoods, Irish and other ethnicities. They were more open to many varied far flung racket schemes. By contrast the tight-knit suspicious Sicilian born members were not. They mostly stayed to themselves which in a sense was a great, and not so great thing because it gave them tremendous solidarity and a low-key almost invisible unity. But it also limited many members rackets options.

Remember too that Joe Bonanno himself was a bit stingy as far as "sharing" wealth.

Even the Gagliano/Lucchese were also mostly Sicilian bred, but both Tommy's had a different mindset and were much more generous and loose with their men. Both in sharing the wealth, as well as allowing them a wide berth in their operations. And the Lucchese crew also had many Napolitano members, whereas the Bonanno's have nearly none.

The Bonanno's were in retrospect one of the most "Antica" or "old fashioned" families in the nation, most similar to a true Sicilian cosca from back in Sicily itself. So they operated in a much different fashion. For instance there were some in their borgata that never committed a crime or broke the law in their lives. They were small businessmen, a doctor, a lawyer, mason, etc. They were "made" into the family for the service they could possibly perform on behalf of the borgata, or because they were "compare" with a member or related by blood, or had been born in the Family's homeland of Castellammare.

Most of the other families in NYC recruited young hoodlums from the neighborhood more than strictly by blood and lineage. So decide for yourself which was better, but thats how I viewed it. I was also very, very close personally to members of this Family and know firsthand how their early mindset worked. There were other heavily Sicilian crews throughout America also operated in this manner, but in NYC they were the primary crew with this rigid and singular mindset. Nowadays it different, but I'm speaking of an earlier era.

Remember too that the Masseria/Luciano Family was a huge sized crew by comparison to the Bonanno's. And they were always far-flung in their operations by the very early structure of the crew. They operated in many areas. Bonanno did not.

Do NOT look at how Joe Bonanno expansed in territory in the 1950s-1960s era. I'm talking originally. Bonanno members were 90% based in North Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan. In later years they expanded to the Bronx, Queens, a little Jersey, LI, and then eventually Bonanno himself went out to Arizona, Cali., etc. But with the exception of Montreal where he had a full blown regime, it was really all about Joe Bonanno's personal wealth and businesses out that way. NOT his basic rank and file understand?
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That said, the Bonanno's were not nearly the overall wealthiest Family in NYC. Some crews were huge, some were half the size of others, but If I had to rank them "pound for pound proportionately" for wealth, money, and assets, I'd rank the Five Families as follows.

#1 would be a near tie between the Genovese and Lucchese Family. Even though the Lucchese were the smallest crew in the city, their men earned well. NOT in the last 30 years or so. But I'm talking at their peak in the 1950s-1960s era. Pound for pound their men were generally wealthier.

#2 Gambino - big crew and plenty of earners as well.

#3 Profaci/Colombo Family

#4 Bonanno Family

CAVEAT TO MY LIST: When I say they were the "wealthiest", it is a very deceptive statement. Always remember that each borgata has men who are multimillionaires, men who are wealthy, men who are moderately wealthy, men who just grind a decent living, and men who are complete unequivocal brokesters. But overall because of size, but also because of the way in which wealth was shared in a particular crew, or the Lucchese who were always big junk dealers or ran huge numbers businesses because they were based in Harlem where that biz really thrived, etc etc. Some Families rank and file did better than others.

for a very small family the Lucchese also held control over a disproportionate number of labor unions which brought great wealth and influence. Tommy Lucchese also had a lot of political sway, as did Frank Costello of the Genovese. This gave those 2 crews added strength.

Thats NOT to say that the other families didn't have unions, deal babania, have politicians under their thumb, or also have very wealthy mafiosi among their ranks, because they did. It only means that the above Families had a bit more pound for pound, etc.

NOTE: In truth there are SO MANY factors that go into the mix that I find myself getting deeper into this explanation than I wanted to. Thats because everything ties into everything else. There are 100 more things to be explained but these are a few of the basic facts that made the mob landscape of that era in NYC.

But it's ALL changed now. Every crew is much different than I talked about above. The Lucchese for instance are all fucked up. So are the DeCavalcante, Colombo and Bonanno. Only the Gambino and Genovese still hold it together a bit, and even thats changing rapidly I assure you.

Today there are a few crews (the ones you don't hear about) who still earn. But most guys are broke. The wealthy ones (and smarter ones) have stepped back so you'll probably never heard or read their names in the newspaper and thats a fact.

The guys you do read about who get pinched are "generally" lower end guys, or guys who are desperate to earn $$. Why the fuck would anybody who already has big bucks risk 20 years in prison unless he's a jerkoff or he's broke? You tell me??

There's your answer!

What do you like or find fascinating about this Bonanno Family during this early era? And why do you think Profaci was more open then Bonanno although they were similar?

As far as fascinating I'd have to say that each borgata holds it'd own interest for me. I don't consider the Bonanno any more or less interesting that the next.

As far as "being open" as you say? For one Profaci made sure to set up each of his kids, and his brother Sal and Sal's kids very, very well. Each were deeply enmeshed in Profaci "legitimate" holdings and later inherited his assets to operate for decades to come.

His vast real estate, tomato and olive oil importing companies, etc. Each were multimillion-dollar concerns. Garment factories, storefronts, land holdings, etc, etc. These things (assets) were staffed with his children, nephews and nieces from the time they were young and they learned the business. They were sheltered and protected, both financially and physically.

Joe Profaci was NOT exposing his beloved children to mob elements. Even his son Sal, and nephews who were prone to the life were "made" but given solid big money jobs and businesses so that generally speaking they didn't need to risk exposure and arrest in "the streets". All this was accomplished despite Profaci dying in 1962.

Yet Joe Bonanno lived to 97 years old and died in what? 2002?...... for decades he had his son Bill living like half a pauper. It forced Bill (the son of a boss who had more money than God himself) to get involved in petty crimes, fraud, stolen credit card, scams, etc., that saw him imprisoned over and over.

Yet Bonanno never lifted a finger to help pay the lawyers, or support Bills family while he was in prison. You would think that Bonanno would have put his kids into Grande Cheese, Saputo, or had them run his cotton farm, or handle/manage his vast tracts of real estate. Or his other assets. But no? Why is that?

Bill Bonanno was treated like a jerk off, yet was his "blood" son. His heir! .... This was the guy he wanted to make consigliere remember?

Joe Bonanno had some very weird ways. He was a very stingy guy at his core. THAT is obvious. To the detriment of his family, and his Family. By the time Bonanno died he son was pretty much burnt out himself, already in his early 70s. For what? So Joe could take his money to the grave with him??

Profaci died 40 years earlier but still managed to set all his family up for generations to come. And believe me Bonanno had just as much wealth as Profaci.

Thats only one major difference.

Interesting observation. I don't know why Joe didn't set Bill up with something lucrative but here's my guess. Bill always adamant that he decided to join "the life" and that his father was against it at first. Maybe as a father, he was not going to reward him for rebelling. Maybe he thought, if you wanna be in the life, you're gonna really be in it. Bill was not a criminal, he should have just stayed out west and never except Consigliere. I think he really wanted to be in the thick of things. That's the only way he thought, he could be respected is by imposing himself in the hierarchy. Especially since Joe was losing his hold on the Family by mid-60s. I still believe if Galante or Joe Diamond wasn't in prison, the Bananas War may not have happened.

When it comes to Profaci, I more meant, he was more "open minded" to deal with other Italians and a more dangerous element within his Family.

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I think both Profaci and Bonanno was masterminds at what they did, and VERY capable mafiosi. Both VERY respected. They were powerhouses. The Gallo brothers were clearly screwballs, all of them. Because although they may have had valid complaints, you see they couldn't get along with anyone. NO good. Thats why Joe Gallo got clipped in the end. He was a bit whacky, and full of himself.

Natale Evola, Nicolo Alfano, and a few other old-timers is where this family should have gone. The Bonanno's would have been in great shape. IMO

I agre with you. Evola, Alfano and even Sciacca should have been the leaders after 68 but nobody could really work together. I also find it interesting that, their clannish nature work against them in another aspect of mob politics. No one other than Joe Bonanno could really garner enough support from other Families to demand the same level of respect.

Joe Natale had it, very respected, but he died of cancer young. that fucked them up again

It's a double edged sword being the most Sicilian of the Five Families: their cohesiveness during the Castellammarese War made them unified against Masseria, but in later years, their insularity, especially within the Sicilian contingent of the family, is what weakened them by the 1970s. By the time Rastelli was thrown off the Commission, the other families thought little of them.

I believe it is simply because the other Families only respect strength. Its easy for them to keep you off the Commission, when the Family you represent is divided. Your strength as a Boss (when politicking, comes from your allies on the Commission and the power you wield over your crews.) If your Family doesn't support you, the other Families won't respect you. Especially when its in there best interests to undermine your position.

Absolutely. Strength IS power. No matter how nice you are, wiseguys are like hawks, especially the upper level bosses. If they smell weakness they'll jump all over you.

Since I see that you like delving into the Bonanno Family. I while ago I had gotten a request to create a bio on two Bonanno guys who were largely mysteries. I forget who the forum member was, but they stated how little information and intel was even out there available on them.... well I'm happy to report that after much deep research I've put together an extensive profile on them that I think does em justice.

We'll be putting it up soon. I hope you enjoy it.

Were Benjamin Ruggiero and Rusty Sicilians or Neapolitans? Also, when did the Bonannos start accepting made men from other parts of Sicily? I remember reading some books stating Joe Bananas distrusting non-Sicilians and probably refusing to induct men who weren't from Sicily.

The Castellammare were the largest faction by far. The Bonanno also had those from Racalmuto, Montelepre, Marsala, Santa Ninfa, Alcamo, and had a few from Naples and Campania before Joe Bonanno became boss. Bonanno trusted men from Sicily and more importantly those from CDG, but he did make some members who were of parents from the mainland, Rastelli parents came from Abruzzo and Campania respectively. Ruggiero may have parents from Campania.

1.) I believe Ruggiero and Rastelli were both Neapolitan. I'm not 100% on that.

2.) Although the Family was primarily Castellamarese oriented, there was a Calabrian regime led by ANGELO CARUSO since 1932. The Family started to open the ranks to Neapolitan and more Calabrian members in the 1950s.
Bonnano did find mafioso from his hometown to be more trustworthy.

I think you are correct about Rastelli and Ruggiero's ethnicity. Napolitani

Here's a question that I know hasn't been posed before. So Joe Bonnano poses himself as a great, far-reaching overlord of a fiefdom, an empire. I do not see Joe Bonanno going out and breaking bread with the button guys who pull the trigger on his behalf. He had a lot of lietenaunts, most of them family, that we all know about. Who was it who kept the troops in line during his rein? Was it Frank Garafolo?

Also, we all probably know the story of Carlo Tresca. It seems Frank Garafolo was a literal fascist. Mobsters don't tend to care much about politics except for corruption reasons, but it's interesting because Mussolini was the one who made mortal enemies with the mob early in the century. Thanks guys.

It wasn't just one guy, but multiple that kept the troops in line. By the late 1950s, Bonanno had a problem in his family. He could relied on Frank Garofalo, Carmine Galante, Natale Evola, Angelo Caruso, Nick Alfano, Giovanni Bonventre, Giovanni Tartamella, Gaspare DiGregorio, Giuseppe Venza and Dominic Sabella to name the most important members who could keep the soldiers in line. Frank Garofalo and Giuseppe Venza retired to Sicily in the mid 1950s, Carmine Galante and Natale Evola went to prison in the late 1950s, Giovanni Bonventre retire to Sicily around 1958 or at least semi retired. When John Tartamella died of a heart attack in 1964 and Bill Bonanno was elected Consigliere, and the whole kill Carlos Gambino and Tommy Lucchese is when Gaspare DiGregorio and Dominick Sabella went against Joe Bonanno. Alfano and Caruso sat on the sidelines trying to bring a peaceful solution to the Bonanno war. It is interesting to note that the Calabrians in the Bonanno family sat on the sidelines during the Bonanno war.

Interesting note, dont know if it has been mentioned on these forums, but before Bonanno and Magaddino relationship began to sour, Giovanni Bonventre made an insult to Stefano Magaddino in the 1940s, and Bonanno shelved Bonventre for a few years, but reinstated Bonventre into the family and back to being a Capo all in the same go.

What was the alleged insult?

@Giacomo_Vacari
Any info on Dominick Sabella during this 50s/60s period?

They were all cousins, the gist of the situation to my understanding was more of a "personal family" matter. I believe GIOVANNI BONVENTRE made reference to how MAGADDINO was the black sheep of the family and Bonventre undermined STEFANO'S status as a Boss in public. He was shelved (with the understanding he would be reinstated in the future) merely for Bonnano to appease Magaddino's bruised ego.

Got it. Thanks. I never heard that one before.


BTW: I am working on a bio of a "key" old-time Bonanno guy since I know you enjoy discussing this family. He was very well known, yet not much was truly ever written about his life. I'm almost done with it now. It'll be up soon for your reading please.

Why did Sabella go against Bonanno? Wasn't he his favorite? Reading through Dara's revelations, during the Banana wars he was afraind for his life and tried to switch families through Vario.
@NYMafia Any info on Skinny Pete Crociata? I've only read bits about him when he was a mediator during a sitdown involving Herbie Gross.

Hi axe, You have to understand that at a certain point ALL Bonanno members were told by the full Commission that Joe Bonanno, his son, and a few others were no longer recognized in Cosa Nostra. Slowly but surely ALL swore members (and top associates also for that matter), were told they either "come in" and report, or get permanently shelved.

I had relatives who faced the same challenge. If they valued their button, they had to recognize the new leadership. Which went from DiGregorio, to Sciacca, and utilmately Evola (with several changes in between).

A lot of guys skirted the issue for awhile, but eventually the bosses put their backs to the wall and made them choose. In between all that is why certain guys get clipped.

I remember reading sometime between 1981 and 1985, the Bonannos were ordered to stop inducting new people.

Also, does anybody have insights on when the family lost its Commission seat? Don't know if it was 1964, 1968, 1979 or 1981 that they were removed from the panel, but it's known they got it back when Massino became boss in 1991.

They were told to not make anyone from 1979 to 1984

That happened to the Colombo's as well after they had their civil war. Until the early 2000s they were prohibited from inducting anyone.
It is a tool that the Commission has utilized a few times though history as they saw fit.

@NYMAFIA
After all this research on the Families, I tend to agree with you now about the quality of earning in this crew. Its alot of tough guys but not alot of hardcore earners compared to the other Families. But I'll also say they probably had the most old-timers (save the Genoveses although in their case it was merely because of the large membership) out of all. Besides the subsequent shelving of Bonanno loyalist, this is why by the mid 70s, its damn near a totally different group of guys.

Yes, Lol.... many, many old-timers and even their younger members were largely drawn from the "bloodline" of former members lineage. I have several relatives who were goodfellas with them, and this was how it was done. (I saw it firsthand).

Nowadays it's very different, but even today you still see a bit of it. But in the 2000s it's a different world for all the crews, for CN in general.

Dob Peppino, Sabella was a capo until he went away in 1955 for his involvement in a large scale narcotics operation. He also had a nice bookmaking operations, not in the millions, but hundreds of thousands of dollars from his bar, he also was a silent partner in a restaurant. 1960s, he was only a soldier until the split and Gaspare promoted him to a capo, and he fell in line, otherwise he would lose out on his operations.

@Giacomo_Vacari
Thats news to me. I didn't know Sabella was a Capo in the early 50s. I do know about this promotion/demotion period in the Bananas War.

Any info on member who was named on the 1963 Valachi charts, GEORGE "GEORGIE LEFTY" RIZZO???

Sabella was a capo from the 1930s, cant say if 1931-1933, till Giovanni Bonventre was shelved for a few years, so he took over Bonventre crew, while Carmine Galante was made and a year or so later Galante became capo of Sabella crew. When Bonventre was finally brought off the shelf and reinstated as capo, Sabella stepped down as capo to soldier in Galante crew. When Carmine Galante was sent up to Montreal, he remained capo of his crew until Joe Bonanno officially made the Vic and Joe Cotroni part of the family, along with three or four other Calabrian members up there, as Galante brought two members of his crew up there, along with two other made members from the Bonanno famiou. When that happened, Carmine Galante became Capo of Montreal, while Sabella became capo of his old crew from 1953 to 1955. In 1955, Joe Notaro became Capo, when Sabella was sentenced.

George Rizzo was one of the last members made in the Bonanno family before the books were closed, either he was made in 1956 or 1957, he also became a capo later on during Rastelli reign and retired in the 1980s before shortly passing away. Not much I have on him, stayed in the traditional rackets and suspected in narcotics during the time Carmine Galante was acting boss.

@Giacomo_Vacari
I was mistaken. I thought you were talking about MIKE SABELLA. You're talking about DOMENICO "MIMI" SABELLA? He's interesting. How well did he get along with Bonanno considering they had a beef in their younger days?

Thanks on GEORGE RIZZO. Any info on members NICK CASTELLO, ANDREW "ANDY CURLEY" BUCARO, VINCENT "JIMMY" DEPASQUALE and NICHOLAS BUTTAFUCCO?

@NYMAFIA
As we know, the other Families well ran deep. Who do you think out of the soldiers who never rose in rank, that had the capabilities (power, respect, earning) to be leaders in this Family? If any?

There are sleepers who could have been better leaders than DiGregorio or Bill Bonanno. Not sure if Anthony Riela or Nick Alfano had leadership material.

Does anyone know why Angelo Caruso stepped down after Maranzano's death?

@NYMAFIA or @Giacomo_Vacari
Any info on earlier members MICHAEL "BIG MIKE "ALLEGATO, MICHELE "MICHAEL ANGELO" ANGELINA, PASQUALE "PATSY" GIGANTI and GIOVANNI "JOHN" FIORDILLINO?

Michael Allegato was related to the Bonventres, died in 64', got his start running and operating alcohol stills, involved in construction, extortion, narcotics, auto theft which the Asaros took over one of his yards, bagman he knew which palms to grease, employed as a metal worker in an aviation company that was in the defense program. Suspected in at least 6 gangland killings. Had a sports book in Nassau county, silent partner in a grocery store, bar, and repair shop.

Two names that I've seen in passing but don't know much about BIAGO RESTIVO and PIETRO "PETER" LICATA. Any info?

Biagio (Benny) Restivo was an old timer member under Bonanno. He was the owner of a popular brand of Italian bread that he manufactured from a bakery he owned on National Avenue in Corona, Queens, back in the 1950s-1970s era. The Restivo Bakery distributed loaves of hot Italian bread (wholesale) daily to the areas delis, groceries, and latticini's, etc., throughout Queens and Brooklyn.


His son Louie later became a member under his fathers sponsorship. Louie went partners with his boss Joe Massino in the Casablanca Restaurant in Rego Park/Maspeth. I believe that Louie was the upfront owner since I don't think he had a record at that time in order to get the liquor license. Al Altadonna (another member) may have also been upfront, as Altadonna had been a restauranteur for many years. He owned Altadonna's on Woodhaven Blvd., and had another great little joint that served only Sicilian cuisine along the Horace Harding Expwy., in Fresh Meadows after he got rid of the Woodhaven location, but after a few years he wasn't doing the business he needed to and ended up closing the place. I think Altadonna moved down to So. Florida after all that shit with Massino turning rat, and all the indictments that came down.
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Any info on members ALFONSE DEMARINES, GUISEPPE BUCCELATO and STEFANO "STEVIE BEEFS" CANNONE during this time?

Wasn't Stevie Beefs Cannone the family consigliere between 1974 and 1984? He was present at the Ravenite the day Galante was killed, shaking hands with Sonny Red, Sonny Black, Phil Giaccone, and Neil Dellacroce.

Yes he was. I am trying to find out about his rise before and during the Bananas War

There is very little info on Cannone. He was a shadow for decades and only came to light in the Galante era of the 70s.

According to Valachi's autobiography:


Copied from: http://mafiahistory.us/a023/therealthing2.html#353

Source info:
 Valachi, Joseph, "The Real Thing
The Autobiography of Joseph Valachi
- Part 2 of 4 -," The American Mafia, mafiahistory.us, accessed Oct. 23, 2020.

Copyright © Thomas Hunt (formatting)

I have never heard this before. It seems very plausible that Maranzano knew Angelo Caruso wasn't the type to have ulterior motives. He just didn't have the ambition of other Mafioso but that decision cost him his life. The Young Turks knew Angelo Caruso and for that matter some other members wouldn't kick up a fuss. Most of the crews by then just wanted to the war to be over. With Bonanno coming into power with his family lineage and the blessing of Lucky Luciano, no one was gonna retaliate. But there was some opposition to Bonanno's ascension and the murder of Maranzano. Francesco Italiano and Fillipo Rappa were the main rivals of Bonanno. Whether or not they actually had enough power be strong then Joe himself is another story.

Don_Peppino are you indicating Bonanno wanted Maranzano dead so he could become the boss?

Not at all. I don't believe Bonanno was involved in Maranzano's death at all, although he obviously gained alot in the aftermath. Bonanno did become distant to Maranzano after he became "Boss of Bosses", simply because Maranzano had to deal with everyone not just the Castellamarese anymore.

Bonanno was brought in afterwards for a couple reasons in my opinion.
1.) He was young enough to be cooperative with Lucky Luciano
2.) He had the famalial lineage that gave him prominence over others.
3.) He had actually fought in the war
4.) All of the above, allowed him to keep a lid on the Castellamarese guys, so eveyone could get back to business.

I do agree, Luciano offered the role to Bonanno who didn't want to go against Maranzano but had no choice knowing all too well his days were numbered and that he would share his fate if he refused.

You know. I think Bonanno was approached about the Maranzano hit. You have Luciano, Genovese, Costello, Lucchese, Anastasia, and a few more higher ups in the family knowing about it before hand. The fact Joe Bonanno took over without opposition from the other families speaks volumes. Bonanno did have opposition from Italiano, Rappa to name the key players against Joe Bonanno rule. If we take in that scenario, it gives a better idea of why Lucchese began to drift away from Bonanno to Gambino, he already knew Genovese since at least the mid 1920s. This puts the time of them being bosses in a whole knew perspective, especially if it was Joe Bonanno who approached Luciano with the idea of hitting Maranzano. We known Luciano and his family were getting fed up, and Lucchese was close to Maranzano to serve as a messenger it would seem, and for him to help Luciano would indicate Lucchese knew something and sided with Luciano. I believe Joe Bonanno was approached or someone else in the family was approached and they worked out a deal before hand. Why? Cause they just got over the Castellammarese War and did not want another one.

Your perspective is plausible but I have to disagree. I think that it was Luciano's brainchild and Tommy Lucchesse was the snake in this scenario. You have to remember that, most of the younger Mafioso agreed that Maranzano would be the same as Masseria and wouldn't mind seeing him go. Especially if its already done! Bonanno was perfect replacement for the reasons I stated, add the backing of Stefano Magaddino at that time and Angelo Caruso's (and the guys he influenced) compliance, and there you go. If Bonanno had been involved, he probably would've (and should've) clipped Italiano and Rappa sooner rather then try to work with them until he couldn't anymore.

i believe every word you said . no way is Bonnano gonna go against lucchese and the shewed fox. they Put together a ballsy plan ,and it worked

Would love to see an article on John Tartamella, John Aquaro and Joe Brown Lucchese from NY Mafia.

Well you got your wish with Joe Brown. I just posted him. for Tartamella and Aquaro there isn't enough info to create hardly anything. I may be able to put a little something together for Tartamella, but if won't be earth shattering I assure you. But I'll see what I can do ok

@NYMafia
What was Paul Sciacca's reputation in the streets before and after his rise to Boss?

What was Rusty Rastelli's reputation in this Family. Was he a feared guy or respected guy? Was he an earner?

I don't have first hand knowledge of Sciacca. But my impression of Paul Sciacca would be that of a lower keyed member. As far as if he was a brash guy or quiet, I'd think quieter. He only had 1 arrest dating back to his youth for a burglary charge. Thats it, 1 arrest.

So he doesn't look like a real wild street guy ya know?

So when you put Smitty D' Angelo, Frank Mari, Rusty Rastelli and Mike Adamo around him, he becomes a serious threat? Apparently he was a one of the smarter guys and an earner for himself?

And what about this?

Any info on Capos JOHN AQUARO and GUISEPPE DE FILLPO?
and soldiers VINCENT "JIMMY" DEPASQUALE, ALFONSO DEMARINES and GAETANO "TONY" LISI?

You can read about Demarinis on JD's blog.

Where?

https://lcnbios.blogspot.com/2018/04/bio-alfonse-demarinis.html

Any info on the ASARO's during this time? Rackets, Allegiance and Reputation?

@NYMAFIA
Something that goes overlooked during Joe Bonanno's reign, is the firm position he had in the garmet industry with a number of members involved. How much of that influence was the Bonannos able to maintain in the 70s?

And also (I know this is jumping era's) but is it safe to say to Bonanno Family was "richer" in the 30s and 40s because the members were younger and more capable. By the 50s, Joe shifted more to the drugs and outside NY business, so the family lost some ground.....

(Just my opinion) I know we've agreed on Joe B's greed but in my research (comparative to the other Families), they were never able to compete earner wise and brain power wise. I mean my Thread on the Luciano Family is like night and day, as far as the capability of the members. Throw on the equally massive Manganos. Then the wise Luccheses and the tough Profacis..... I mean at some point l, somebody's gotta get put out the market.

Bonanno crew had their big earners too, but I largely agree with you. Most weren't on par with a top Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese or even Profaci guy.

Any truth to Nicky Glasses being on of the top shylocks in the city?

@NyMafia
Do you know how Joe Bonanno and the older "Mimi" Domenico Sabella relationship was like in the later years? I know they had a beef in the late 20's/early 30's. And do you know of his rackets?

I have no idea. But the other Sabella, Mike Sabella of Mulberry Street was a very dear friend of mine. He was a gentleman and a half. A big earner, and a sharp, sharp guy.
I always liked Mikey. Not to mention the Sicilian food he served at his Ca Sa Bella Ristorante was among the best in the neighborhood.

Was the Bonanno family's Montreal faction split into two crews like they had with the Genovese family's Massachusetts faction?

Also, did the other three families ever have a presence outside of the NYC metro area, where they had crews in areas like Florida or California?

@NYMafia
Interesting. Do you know about he origins of the "three capos" Phil Giaccone, Sony Red Indelicato and Big Trin Trinchera during this time? I heard Trinchera wasn't a figure until the late 70's, what about the others? Do you know their rackets and who they were connected to?

Phil Lucky was made probably in 1955 or 1956 with his mentor being John Aquaro.
DNK when Sonny Red and Big Trin got involved with the Joseph Bonanno family, but guessing in the 1950s.

How old are you?

Sonny Red was made in 1976 in the first wave of new inductions. Trinchera was straightened out in 1977 with Frank Lino and several others

I'm in my late 60's, but with my knowledge and the friendships I'm made through the years, gleaned from my family and our background, I date many decades before that.

You old fogie...lolol.

I never would've guessed that. You write with the energy of a young man. It's like you're the Sonny Franzese of mob forums . Were you around a lot of wiseguys? Are there any that stood out to you?

Do you know the rackets Giaccone was involved in?

Well Vito was in jail and the power dynamics in his Family were changing. Tommy Ryan was playing ball with Luchesse and Gambino but Tommy Brown dies in 67'. And Tommy Ryan get sneaky with Don Carlo. Evoli is soon to be eliminated and guys like Lombardo, Tieri, Salerno and Gigante Rise. I believe Bonanno would have been left alone.
On that podcast show "Mob Talk Radio" the guy always says "if Bonnano had got involved, he would have gotten killed". I disagree because he still had connections, he was involved with Galante in some capacity in the 70s and had a scam going in San Jose. Nothing happened!

A lot of the top people in the Genovese crime family had more brains than Tommy Eboli. Eboli was Lucchese and Gambino guy. The others did not believe everything that was said about Joe Bonanno. The Genovese family would most likely stayed neutral or sided with Bonanno.

@Giacomo_Vacari any info on these members?

GUISEPPE BUCCELATO
PETER LICATA
SALVATORE GIGLIO
TONY LISI
ANGELO LAPI
FRANK "CHOW" MANCINO
ANDREW "ANDY CURLEY" BUCARO
JOE DI MARIA
PETER CINQUEMANI
ANTONIO "SHORT PANTS" CACIOPO

,@Giacomo_Vacari
Do you have any info on JOE VENZA or NICK GUASTELLA?

Andrew Bucaro- known as Andy Curly. Born in 1906 in New Jersey. Lived in Manhattan. Frequented Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, and before his 1960 arrest also Bay area to Visit Nick Guastella, and the Ditri brothers, there is supposedly a picture of Bucaro and Frank Garofalo at Garofalo box making plant in Mercer California. Arrests for Robbery, Shooting (1931), bootlegging a couple of times. Associates, Frank and Vincenzo Garofalo, Natale Evola, Nick Guastella, Giuseppe Venza, Eugene Tramaglino, the Aloi's, Salvatore Mussachio, Joe Armone, Tommy Russo, Pietro Novello and Girolamo Licata of Sicily, the DiPalermo brothers, and Joe Zicarelli of New Jersey. A protege of Nick Guastella. Traveled to Sicily frequently in the 1920s and 1930s. Made at the age of 26 in 1930 or 1931. Identified as a soldier in Natale Evola crew. Believed to smuggle narcotics until his arrest in 1944 in connection with bootlegging. After his 1960 arrest, was quiet except for attending a dinner for Natale Evola getting out of prison in the late 1960s, Giuseppe Buccellato, Stefano Cannone, Peter Licata, and Angelo Caruso were in attendance. Passed away in 1980.

Nicolo Guastella- Born in 1896 in Palermo. Emigrated to the United States in 1921, living Manhattan. Mentor to Andrew Bucaro and Eugene Tramaglino. Made trips to Sicily in the 1920s, one of which was in the company of Andrew Bucaro and at least two different occasions was living in Sicily during that time. Arrests for homicide, bootlegging, vagrancy, detained on suspicion of harboring a fugitive. Associates, Vito Mule, Bill Bonanno, the Ditri brothers, Frank Garofalo, Joe Venza, Salvatore Vassello, Frank Buffa, Salvatore Cerrito, Giovanni Bello, Salvatore Profaci, Santo Vultaggio, and Natale Evola. Made either in Sicily and transferred membership, or made during the Castellammarese war. Moved to Monterey California in the 1940s. Owned a construction company and listed his occupation as carpenter. Reported to both Frank Garofalo and Joe Venza. When Joe Venza retired and moved back to Sicily, the west coast Bonannos were split into two crews, with Bill Bonanno becoming Capo over the Arizona members, and John Bello becoming Capo over the Bay Area members in California. Bello would last a couple of years before Nick took his spot. Passed away in 1977.

Salvatore Giglio- Known as Salvatore Galante, Little Sal, Salvatore king, and Mr. Phillips. Born in 1906 NYC. Lived in Montreal, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Arrests for Narcotics which had one conviction, trespassing. Associates, Carmine Galante, Natale Evola, Mike Sabella, Nicholas Marangello, John Petrone, Joe Notaro, Joe Biondo, Joe DiPalermo, and Peter Licata of New York City, Joe Cotroni, Paolo Violi, Luigi Greco, Nicolo Rizzuto, and Giovanni Papalia of Montreal, Rosario Mancuso of Utica, Joe Zicarelli, and Nick Alfano of New Jersey. Made in the late 1940s. Frequented Montreal and NYC. Moved to Canada with Galante, was deported back to US. Known as an international drug dealer. Served in Galante crew. Worked at E and Q Trucking company, and was a salesman for Theta Electronics Company. Loyal member to Carmine Galante, after Galante was killed, sideline.for the rest of his career. Passed away in 2006

@Giacomo_Vacari
How about BIAGO RESTIVO, ANGELO SALVO, VITO DE FILLIPO, SALVATORE MIRABILE and JOSEPH SPADARO? Obviously, I know the first three are more prominent members.

I would also be curious to have your analysis/opinions on the membership of the Family?

Its something that was brought up in another thread that makes me wonder. We know this group, historically (outside of Joe's clique) this wasn't a powerhouse group, earning wise. What exactly were the Di Gregorio/Sciacca/Rastelli faction fighting to obtain control of? Was it the title (boss)? Was it simply, they didn't want to pay tribute?

I say this because, alot of the legitimate power went with Joe, apparently he was still involved in the international drug trade by way of contacts in Canada (surely he still had more pull then Sciacca and Rastelli).

Its just interesting how they went from close-knit, secretive and clannish, to completely unraveling in 10yrs.

Joe must've been cracking them with the tribute for them to think Di gregorio, Sciacca and Rastelli were better choices. we all know how that turned out for them. They did alot of fighting for nothing in my opinion

Although its a couple days past and he is a controversial figure, I have to say Happy Belated Birthday to the real DON PEPPINO, Joe Bonanno.

Alot of people may wonder my interest in his story in Cosa Nostra. I've studied this subject for the better part of 20 years. In the beginning, I was on the "joe bananas" no respect train like everyone else. But the most curious thing for me was, How Did This Guy Survive The Gambino/Lucchese Hit??? In my research, your not supposed to survive that. Needless to say, whatever you believe, he did. He is the epitome of a Survivor, lived to be 97, an Original Commission Member, participant in the legendary Castellamare war, Founder of the Family that bares his name but not his image or legacy. In my research of him, I learned to truest meaning of Cosa Nostra and a Mafioso. As a Boss, there isn't anything he didn't accomplish. Not saying, he was the best (clearly thats Carlo Gambino, Tommy Lucchesse, Tony Accardo and Joe Zerilli), Bonanno was a trailblazer and pioneer in the life as a Boss and as a human, he was a fox and a Survivor. Anyway, I'm sure this might get some heat. (I am open to debate however).

I have to say , Don Peppino, Joseph Bonanno 🥃 Salute

Does anyone know specific rackets or businesses of the Arizona crew?

There basically weren't any rackets operated there. The men, some of whom were inducted members, generally just chose to retire to Arizona with Joe Bonanno when he left NYC. The were mostly older by that point in time and were either completely retired, or were semi-retired. A few ran small businesses like bakeries, etc. But "technically speaking" there was no formal "crew" and there were no "rackets" per se.

Only Joe's two idiot sons, got involved with a few stupid criminal acts. But all in all, it was over for them! (whatever connections Joe still had and whatever he may have done separately was just that, separate from any crew activity per se).

I was speaking of during the 50's. Was Joe Venza just looking over Joe's legitimate interest there and in California???

California Bay Area, they had interests in Appeal City, a garment center in San Francisco shared with San Francisco crime family, sweatshops, Construction, narcotics, car dealerships, a box making plant, bars (two bar, one of which was involved in an arson for insurance by San Jose crime family after the associate bought it in the early 1970s, and a decade later it was set on fire, honky tonks scene.) Bookmaking. Orchards. Grand theft auto.

Southern California- Narcotics, Gambling, Bookmaking, garment industry, sweatshops, car dealerships, cheese company until mid 1950s, talent agencies, fishing boots, trucking, and restaurants.

Arizona- Narcotics, ranching, trucking, bakeries, restaurants, construction, delivery services, bookmaking,

Giacomo_Vacari or NYM

Does anyone know of DiGregorio-Sciacca solider Joe Badalamonte? Killed during the Bananas War in Bay ridge Feb 1965?

When I watch Bill Bonanno talk like a tough guy, I just laugh...Like Junior Gotti, without his old man, he'd be nothing

I agree Bill was a lousy mobster. But I do respect him for one thing. Like alot of guys, he was really only there trying to protect his father. Obviously it's always about money at the end of the day but on a human level, I think alot of the bloodline guys also have this as a motivation. That's an often over looked aspect of what's really going on

I think Santo Trafficante Jr. was the true inspiration for Michael Corleone rather than Bill Bonanno. Also, did Big Paulie Castellano have any interaction with the Bonanno family pre-1964? If so, in what rackets and with whom?

He was a good son, no doubt about that, and you can tell that by the way Joe Bonanno talked about him

You don't give any sources as usual. Is this info from old news stories, FBI reports, or a book?

[/quote]

I think Santo Trafficante Jr. was the true inspiration for Michael Corleone rather than Bill Bonanno. Also, did Big Paulie Castellano have any interaction with the Bonanno family pre-1964? If so, in what rackets and with whom?
[/quote]

I haven't been able to truely find anything that would tie them business wise. Castellano is really well documented as a boss but his earlier days are not as public. I would say Castellano was just another soldier (although he was a earner due to family connections early on) until the mid 50s when Gambino succedes Frank Scalise as the Head of the Palermantani. Paul became Capo around 1956. I do know that during the aftermath of the Anastasia hit, one of Paul's meat Factories was a meeting at least once. I'd have to image that they had peripheral dealings at best. Paul was in Brooklyn before operating in Staten Island so he definitely knew some people. The FBN named Carmine Galante as an associate in his file in 1961.

The wedding was based on Bill Bonanno's wedding, not Michael's character

Research Frank Garofalo, Nick Guastella, Tony and Dan Ditri, Tony and John Bello, Tony Canzoneri, Charles Battaglia, Santo Manfre, Vito Mule, Peter Sciortino, Michael Angelina, John Petrone, Nino Rizzuto (No relation to Montreal). There are others but that should help you piece things together. The FBN, FBI, California and Arizona LE Agencies has info on the activities. These members also had associates around them who were actually doing the heavy part of the activities.

Any info on the following Bonanno members:

FRANK MISTRETTA
PHILLIP TARTAGLIA
SALVATORE MARCHESE
MICHAEL "BIG MIKE" ALLEGATO
VINCENT "TAPPY" SOVIERO

So you have no source to show, just as I thought.

Oh no, I have sources. I am just tired of the laziness of your generation who won't work to find the information. Trust me when I say the information is out there. You just want it to he handed to you, without it costing anything.
Here are some info for you.
FBI #2534540
NYC PD# B66994
FBI #452993A
Happy hunting.

Giacomo_Vacari
Have you (or anyone else) heard of Frank Mallamaci? The New York Times linked him to a Jersey case with "Bayonne" Joe Zicarelli. The labeled him as his lieutenant, Do you know of him being a made guy?

Also stumbled upon fbi docs that name a Dr. Mario Tagliagambe as a made guy. Do you know anything on him? I know Bonanno stated in his book "we had legitimate businessmen, doctors, lawyers, accountants...." I know he had a son in law Dr. Greg Genovese who was allegedly made in the L.A Family.

Dr. Tagliagambe was allegedly straightened out. I do not believe Mallameci was. He may have been close to Zicarelli, but in the old days LE often used that term "lieutenant" very loosely. It didn't carry the same meaning as today.