"Black" as a nickname...Pick your poison!

Wiseguys are renowned for their colorful nicknames. Over the years the nicknames the mob gave to their peers or chose for themselves ran the gamut from the macabre and scary to the ridiculous and downright funny. But many of them were unique and very memorable…thats for sure.

A very popular type of nickname was to be labeled with a color, such as red, brown, white, etc., such as Tommy Brown Lucchese or Sonny Red Indelicato. A particular color could often also have a deeper, more subliminal meaning. "Red" for blood, "Black"or death, and so on.

The color “Black” was always a very popular pick. So here’s my question…

Of the five nicknames of the mobsters listed below, which of these fellas was NOT connected to the Vito Genovese Family?

Louie Black
Black Bart
Larry Black
Jimmy Black
Black Alex

Take your picks and roll the dice fellas...like the NY Lotto says..."Ya gotta be in it, to win it."

How can you forget one of the most famous Black’s, Sonny Black Napolitano

We didn't forget anybody. "Sonny Black" Napolitano was just one of dozens of guys with the "Black" label, lol. But he wasn't part of this question.

....Hey, "Black Label" LOL - I like that one.
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But on that note, you commented, but didn't give your opinion or answer about the question posed. So, which guy was it? Like I said, "Pick your poison!" lol

I guess everyones in the "dark" about this...either that or "blacked" out. lol

I will play along. Using process of elimintation, I'm going to guess Louie Black. I was between him and Black Bart, but I wanna say BB goes back to Masseria.

Good man...BT, we'll see how your selections play out shortly.

Now let's see if there's anybody else on the forum willing to stick their toes in the water and take a shot at this question.

Black Bart

Clint Black

Ok. Thats a respectable choice.

Interesting selection, Liggio.

Jamal Black
DeShawn Black
D'Andre Black
Shenikko Washington Black

Talk about black humor, smh
It wasn't Nicky "Black" Grancio, Larry Mazza turned his head into a meatbag after spreading its contents on the inside of the windshield.

I'll be posting up the answers in the next day or two...so this is your last chance to get in your picks and opinions.

The correct answer about, "Which of the five nicknames of the mobsters listed below was NOT connected to the Vito Genovese Family?" will be released this morning, at 11:30am (NY time)

Was it...Louie Black, Black Bart, Larry Black, Jimmy Black or Black Alex??

Quiz Answer…

Of the five underworld nicknames we listed above, who did these nicknames belong too? Who were these men? And which of them was NOT connected to the Vito Genovese Family?

The answers…

“Louie Black” was Louis Saccaroma, a veteran Genovese Family associate who engaged in narcotics trafficking, gambling, prize-fight rackets and “fixed” matches. He later relocated down to Miami Beach where he worked with Trigger Mike Coppola’s crew, and in particular, soldiers Paul (Frankie) Carbo and Pasquale (Patsy) Erra.

“Black Bart” was Battisto Salvo, one of the earliest members of the Genovese Family’s Bronx faction. He was a highly respected soldier, most active in policy-numbers racketeering, bookmaking, shylocking and building-trade rackets. Salvo was an intimate of such iconic mafiosi as Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo, Tommy Milo, Modeste (Mickey Morris) Barra and the legendary Francesco (Frank Costello) Castiglia.

“Larry Black” was Lawrence Centore, another key Genovese Family soldier who mostly operated up in Bronx County. In his youth, he and his brother were active as armed robbers, strong-arm men and enforcers. Years later, Larry gravitated to policy-numbers and bookmaking rackets. He also became one of the biggest loansharks in the area. By the early 1980s, the Genovese Family administration had elevated Centore to a “capo” post.

“Black Alex” was Alexander Morelli, a longtime Genovese Family soldier and key functionary in Downtown Manhattan’s “Mulberry Street” crew of caporegime Pietro (Petey) DeFeo. Morelli was generally considered DeFeo’s main soldier, who handled day-to-day activities for his capo. He was active in gambling, loansharking, strong-arm work and waterfront rackets for DeFeo. By the 1980s, he was put in charge of the “gasoline racket” for his borgata.

And last on the list, but certainly not least, is the man in question, “Jimmy Black” or James Falco. Born in East Harlem, this man, (one of several mafiosi brothers,) was a low-key, but very active soldier within the Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese Family. Falco cut his teeth in the Harlem policy-numbers racket. But he also later became heavily engaged in shylocking and vending machine rackets throughout Upper Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. He served under capo Anthony Corallo, and later, after relocating to Miami Beach, served under his relative, capo Ettore (Little Eddie) Coco.
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So there you have it, folks…. Of the five mafiosi listed, the only one who was NOT affiliated with the Genovese crew was veteran Lucchese Family soldier James (Jimmy Black) Falco.

Is it the nickname "Blackie" also accepted in this quiz? Lol

Yes, any variation on the color, such as, "Blackie" "Black Joe" "Joe Black" etc., etc.

Sam "Blackie" Cesario. Immortalized in the famous Crime Inc. documentary as a member of the Chicago Outfit-Grand Avenue crew who was killed for allegedly having a relationship with Phil Alderisio's FORMER girlfriend. Story goes that before Alderisios death, Blackie visited his boss to receive permission to marry the girl and he allegedly received the "ok". Later, Blackie was shot in the head because the late Alderisio "ordered the hit from the grave", meaning these guys either killed Blackie with Alderisio's "ok" before he died, or they killed him for completely different reason. I also think Blackie was Harry Aleman's first hit.

Another guy was Black Joe Amato who in turn was a capo or maybe crew boss for the Outfits McHenry and DuPage counties, first under the jurisdiction of the Daddono crew and later under the Buccieri group. In fact, by 1976/77 old man Black Joe relinquished most of his ops from those same areas which were inherited by the Buccieris, same as his crew members such as Solly D who in turn joined Torello, Ferriola and LaPietra. Also, the infamos "Mob's Last Supper" pic was found during a raid on Black Joe's home and later he was the only made guy at Accardos funeral in 1992.

Colombo soldier Joseph (Joe Black) Gorgone

Yes, I've heard of him.

He's another one. Joe Black was a longtime veteran with the Colombo crew.

Most of the 'Black' guys are sicilian lol..

Correct

Bonanno Capo - Anthony (Tony Black) Furino
Colombo Soldier - Anthony (Tony Black) Indiusi
Detroit Boss - Giacomo (Black Jack) Tocco

True...these are 3 more guys with Black as part of their nickname.

What does …. Mean ? Am I saying too Many people with the Nickname Black ?

Butchie, the way you wrote this, I don't understand what you're asking me? Please elaborate, ok.

Again, with your wording here, I'm not sure what you're asking me. But, since you jumped into the water, why don't you try and provide the answers to my "Part II" of this nickname quiz? I just started a new thread about it. It's titled, "The Dark Shadows of the Mob." This one's about the Colombo crew. Name the one name, of the five listed, who was NOT connected to that family.

Didint see the knew Thread until you just Mentioned it and I didint know your new Thread had to do with another Black Nickname Question but I’ll give it a shot

Definitely! After all, what can you lose right?