Thanks to Chin_Gigante


1917 - Vincent Petruazelli:
Shot to death by Giovanni Cancelli following an argument over a card game.

1918 - Giovanni Cancelli:
Shot to death by Gaetano Bruno and others as revenge for the Petruazelli killing.

August 22, 1925 - Leo Lanzetta was killed as retaliation for the murder of Joe Bruno,sicilian made man.

1927 - Joseph Zanghi, Vincent Cocozza:
The intended target of this double-homicide was Anthony Zanghi. Zanghi's gang was involved in a dispute with the family then led by Salvatore Sabella. Sabella, Antonio Pollina, Joseph Scopoletti, Dominick Festa, Luigi Quaranta and John Avena were involved in the Zanghi-Cocozza murders.

1928 - George Catania:
Mafioso under Sabella. Killed by Anthony Zanghi.

1928 - Sam Rugnetta:
Brother of Joseph Rugnetta. Killed for his involvement in prostitution.

1934 - Joseph Maggio, Anna Maggio:
Michele Maggio found his second wife Anne in bed with his son Joseph from another marriage. Maggio killed them both before surrendering to authorities and receiving a five year sentence.

August 17, 1936 - Philadelphia Mafia Don John "Nazzone" Avena was killed during a feud with Lanzetta brothers.

December 31, 1936 - Pius Lanzetta was killed in a luncheonette;

July 2, 1939 - Willie Lanzetta was found with his head in a burlap bag and a bullet in his brain;

1939 - Danny Day Del Giorno:
Killed for his involvement in prostitution.

1939 - Frank Piccolo:
Killed as a matter of revenge. Had recently been released from prison. Drive-by shooting.

1948 - Anthony Minerva:
Minerva owned a cheese business and sold it to Michele Maggio during WWII. After the war, Minerva tried getting his old customers back, even after when told to stop by Maggio. Peter Casella arranged Minerva's murder as a favour to Maggio. Police Lieutenant Frank Mayo dated Minerva's sister and provided Casella with information on him. Minerva was invited to a meeting with individuals at the Ticket Grill, which was then owned by Casella. Minerva was found murdered after this meeting. Angelo Bruno and Angelo Martel were believed to be the individuals who killed Minerva.

1950 - Joseph Sadia:
Sadia spread a rumour that Frank Nicoletti's wife was having an affair with former boss Salvatore Sabella. Nicoletti drove the getaway car while Angelo Bruno and Philip Testa shot Sadia to death.

1954 - Marshall Venezialle:
Venezialle was in the bootleg alcohol business with Peter and Anthony Casella. It was agreed to control the price of liquor, though Venezialle then started undercutting this agreement. Venezialle dropped out of the agreement and he became enemies with Casella. Venezialle beat up two men working for Casella and began his independent operation. Anthony Casella sent word that Venezialle would have to pay tribute to operate his independent still. Venezialle refused and it was decided to kill him. James Gatto approached Venezialle and told him he wanted him to meet his boss, Joseph Rugnetta. Venezialle went to the South Philadelphia Grill and got into an argument with Gatto and Angelo Bruno. Bruno was observed leaving this meeting with a black eye, indicating that Venezialle possibly struck him. Venezialle was found shot dead in the trunk of his brother's car. It was believed that Gatto was the intended triggerman but that he got cold feet and Bruno ended up killing Venezialle.

1957 - Alphonse Lanatto:
Lanatto was a nobody but, when drunk, would bad-mouth people. Like the Sadia murder, the hit team was believed to consist of Angelo Bruno, Philip Testa and Frank Nicoletti.

January 30, 1962 - Dominick “Reds” Caruso was murdered for disrespecting Joseph (Joe the Boss) Rugnetta, who was the consigliere of the family that served under Angelo Bruno. Caruso tried to extort Rugnetta for money and slapped him at his home in Southwark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1963- Scarfo killed William Dugan a longshoreman in a bar fight.

1963 - Ferdinand Iacono,associate.

1969 -Robert DeGeorge,Associate.Killed by Joseph Ciancaglini.

1970 - George Feeney - Killed by Ralph Natale.

February 1972 - Dominick Luciano was killed by the Campisi brother with the ok of Angelo Bruno because had an affair with Maureen Campisi a wife of the brothers.

1972 - Pasquale "Jimmy Ross" Procopio,associate.

December 27,1973 -Joseph McGreal,killed by Ralph Natale.

1974 - Alvin Feldman,associate (Body Not Found) The hit was carried out by Frank Narducci, Santo Idone, Joseph Ciancaglini and Joseph Scalleat.

1975 - Edward "Butch" Snee - Slain in 1975, Found 2000 (Suspected Informer)Tied to Pete (The Crumb) Caprio;

January,13 1975 - Kidnap and murders of Scarfo associate Albert Meglia of Montclair and bystander Michael White , charged were scarfo members Gerardo “Jerry”Fusella and “Happy” Bellina and William “Billy Blonde”Layton, it is believed Antonino Caponigro personally shot Meglia. The bodies were dumped into a Newark landfill in 1975.

1976 - Louis "Louie" DeMarco - was a Philadelphia drug user who stuck up a member of the Philadelphia crime family in 1976. That same year, Don Angelo Bruno sent Phil Leonetti and Vincent Falcone to kill DeMarco for his actions against the Mafia.

February 15, 1978 - Edwin Helfant,a retired Municipal Court Judge under indictment for judicial misconduct,was killed on the order of Scarfo because take a bribe but instead of a short sentence give a 15 y sentence to philly mobster Nick (The Blade) Virgilio.

December 16, 1979 - Vincent Falcone was a hitman for the Philadelphia crime family. In 1976, Falcone and Phil Leonetti whacked Philadelphia junkie Louis DeMarco in a parking lot. However, Falcone made the error of insulting Nicky Scarfo, leading to Scarfo ordering his death.

March 12, 1980 - Annaloro "Angelo" Bruno,killed on the order of his consigliere Antonio Caponigro.

October 29, 1980 - Frank "Barracuda Frank" Sindone,was a loan shark and soldier in the Bruno crime family who helped plot the 1980 murder of family mob boss Angelo Bruno.

December 1980 - Edward Bianculli,associate

December 16,1980 - John McCullough, president of the Roofer's Union Local 30 and an associate of Angelo Bruno, is murdered by a man posing as a florist.

March 15, 1981 - Phil (The Chicken Man) Testa – Angelo’s Bruno’s underboss and successor, Testa had a short-reign and was famously blown up by a nail bomb as he walked onto the porch of his house.

May 26, 1981 - Harry Peetros,a elder member of the Philly's Greeek Mob was killed allegedly by Scarfo gunman.

May 27,1981 - Chelsais Bouras, head of Philadelphia's "Greek Mob", is killed by gunman along with his girlfriend Jeannette Curro in a South Philadelphia restaurant, allegedly by Scarfo gunman.

October 6, 1981 - John Calabrese,local loanshark and drug dealer for refusing to cough up street tax on his rackets.

January 7, 1982 – Philly mafia captain Frank (Chickie) Narducci is gunned down as he exists his car in front of his house, punishment for taking part in the assassination of Scarfo’s predecessor and friend Phil (The Chicken Man) Testa in the spring of 1981. Testa’s son Salvatore (Salvie) Testa pulled the trigger.

February 4, 1982 — Philly mobster Vincent (Tippy) Panetta is shot to death inside his apartment along with his 19 years old girlfriend Michelle A. Podraza. Panetta worked under slain captain Frank (The Barracuda) Sindone as a loan shark and bookie.

February 22, 1982 – Philly mafia soldier and longtime Little Nicky rival, Dominick (Mickey Diamond) DeVito is found in the trunk of his car, hogtied and shot three times in the back of the head.

March 15, 1982 – Young Philly wiseguy and pizza parlor owner, Rocco Marinucci, the driver for Phil Testa’s underboss Pete Casella and the man that placed and activated the nail bomb that killed the Chicken Man, is shot to death in a South Philly parking lot by Salvie Testa, who leaves his victim’s mouth stuffed with firecrackers as a message.

May 13, 1982 - Frank Monte then family consigliere killed on Harry Riccobene'orders because he was running a separate crew and didn't want to pay a street tax to Scarfo.

January 27, 1983 – Local mob associate and narcotics trafficker Robert Hornickle is killed by the Scarfo syndciate’s Ciancaglini crew – headed by Joseph (Chickie) Ciancaglini – in a beef over a botched drug deal. Philly wiseguy and Ciancaglini underling Ronnie (Cuddles) DiCaprio was convicted of the Hornickle homicide in a racketeering and murder case.

April 29,1983 - Pasquale "Pat the Cat" Spirito was shot to death,Spirito was killed for failing to carry out the contract to kill Robert Riccobene, the brother of Harry Riccobene that was leading a crew against Scarfo family.

November 3, 1983 – Riccobene Crew man Samuel Tamburrino is shot to death behind the counter of his variety store.

December 6,1983 - Philadelphia mobster Robert Riccobene is shot to death in front of his mother.

September 14, 1984 - Salvatore (Salvie) Testa,was killed on Scarfo ordered because was jelous of Salvie's notoriety after a newspaper called him "The Crowned Prince of Philadelphia Mafia".Leonetti in his book write that the excuse was that Salvie broke the engagement with Joey Merlino'sister Maria.

September 18, 1984 - Michael Micali

February 8, 1985 – South Philly numbers lottery king Frank (J.R.) Forlini is killed in an effort by Scarfo to gain control of his policy business. Forlini’s body is found shot to death behind the wheel of his truck in the parking lot of a Delaware County K-Mart store.

July 23,1985 - Frank "Flowers" D'Alfonso, an influential associate of the former Bruno crime family Boss Angelo Bruno, is murdered by seven members, including soldier Eugene "Whip" Milano, belonging to Nicodemo Scarfo's organization for refusing to pay a street tax to Scarfo.

January 17,1987 – Local mob associate and drug dealer Frankie Russo is found shot to death in suburban Bucks County after reportedly stealing 15 gallons of P2P – the main ingredient in cooking crystal meth – from a Scarfo-backed narcotics trafficking ring overseen by Philly mafia member Albert (Reds) Potani.

May 24, 1990 – Scarfo era gangster Louis (Louie Irish) DeLuca is gunned down outside his bar after butting heads with the Skinny Joey Merlino crew.

January 29, 1992 – Old school Philly mobster Felix (Little Felix) Bocchino, Stanfa’s No. 2 man, is shot to death as he got behind the wheel of his late-model Buick parked down the block from his South Philly residence, the first casualty in the Stanfa-Merlino war.

May 29, 1992 – Cop turned wiseguy James (Jimmy Brooms) DiAddorio is slain while talking on the phone at his South Philly athletic club for refusing to get in line behind Merlino and his crew.

November 29, 1992 – Drug-addled waiter Francesco DiGiacomo is shot to death and dumped on the side of the road for not repaying a debt to the Stanfa crew.

1993 James Pirollo (Bookmaker/ Government Informant)

January 7, 1993 – Mob debt collector and bodybuilding champion Rod Colombo is killed for skimming profits from pick-up assignments.

January 20, 1993 — Drug dealer and bookie Louis (Gee Gee) Cappello is gunned down inside his apartment on Stanfa’s order because he wouldn’t fork over protection money.

January 28, 1993 – The recently released from prison Mario Riccobene, a mob soldier from a rebel Philly mafia faction in the 1980s led by his brother (“Harry the Hunchback”), is killed for trying to push his way back into the picture despite his reputation as a snitch. Mario Riccobene was only out of prison because he had been a government witness.

August 5, 1993 – Renegade mob soldier Michael (Mikey Chang) Ciancaglini is gunned down crossing the street outside the Merlino faction clubhouse in South Philly. Skinny Joey, Mikey Chang’s best friend, was wounded in the attack.

September 17, 1993 – Local mob figure Frank (Frankie Bronze) Baldino, loyal to the Merlino faction of the raging South Philly mafia war, is shot to death behind the wheel of his car in the parking lot of the Melrose Diner.

January 19, 1994 – Nicasio Zagone, Stanfa’s nephew, is killed in what is a suspected case of mistaken identity.

May 8, 1994 William (Crazy Willie) Ganz, the highly-feared driver and bodyguard for Bruno-Scarfo crime family North Jersey captain Joseph (Joe the Nodder) Sodano, is killed for his rogue behavior.

December 6, 1994 - Philly mob associate Michael (Mikey Ice) Brennan is shot to death, wrapped in a floor carpet and dumped in the woods after an alleged falling out with the Merlino camp.

February 24, 1995 - Philly mob associate and drug dealer Ralphie Mazzuca is shot to death and then set on fire following his robbing of fellow mob associate Roger Vella's parents house. Vella often acted as Skinny Joey's driver and has since joined the witness protection program.

October 5, 1995, William Vasey was killed by a barrage of bullets as he drove to his job as a construction worker only hours before his brother John was to testify as a pivotal witness in a racketeering and murder trial against his former Mafia boss, John Stanfa, and seven other reputed mobsters.

April 4, 1996 - Philly mobster and notorious ladies man Michael (Dutchie) Avicoli is killed for allegedly having an affair with the wife of Stevie Mazzone. Avicoli's remains have never been found but FBI informants say Mazzone, Merlino and others killed him and disposed of his body on farm property in New Jersey.

December 7, 1996 - Philly mob captain and North Jersey crew chief, Joseph (Joe the Nodder) Sodano, is shot to death behind the wheel of his car in the parking lot of a local retirement home. Sodano was killed by Philly Fay Casale and Peter (Pete the Crumb) Caprio, Sodano's second-in-charge and replacement as capo of the North Jersey crew.

1997 - North Jersey crew associates and drug dealers Billy Shear & Bobby Matonis are killed by North Jersey crew hit man Philip (Philly Fay) Casale.

March 18, 1998 - Independent South Philly racketeer Anthony Turra is killed for his sanctioning of an assassination of Skinny Joey Merlino after Merlino feuded with Turra's son and protege Rocco. The elder Turra was shot death outside of his home en route to his racketeering trial in federal court.

April 10, 1999 - South Philly drug dealer Gino Marconi is gunned down leaving his apartment by a high-powered rifle after allegedly refusing to pay street tax. Merlino's now-defunct Boston crew were suspects in the slaying.

October 26, 1999 - One-time Bruno-Scarfo crime family consigliere Ronald Turchi is found in the trunk of his wife's car, hogtied and shot in the back of the head. Turchi had been close to Ralph Natale, who had just become a witness for the government weeks earlier.

January 17, 2002 - Old-school Philly mafia soldier Raymond (Long John) Martarano is shot to death as he drove to an early-morning doctor's appointment, less than a year after his release from a lengthy term behind bars. He alleged attempted to take gambling rackets from Ligambi

November 22, 2003 - Philly mobster and notorious renegade John (Johnny Gongs) Cassasanto is shot to death inside his house after a series of infractions starting with his allegiance to John Stanfa during the war a decade prior and ending with his rumored romantic affair with Joey Merlino's wife while Skinny One served a 12-year prison sentence. Cassasanto was considered a suspect in the Long John Martarano hit.

June 10, 2010 - Independent South Philly loan shark and bookie Rocco Maniscalco is killed after allegedly rebuking mob shakedown efforts.

December 12, 2012 - Philly mob associate and alleged informant Gino DiPietro is gunned down getting into his truck outside his condo. Merlino's former bodyguard Anthony Nicodemo pled guilty to conspiracy in the hit and is doing 25 years in prison,authorities believe he drove the getaway car, which was seen fleeing from the scene and where the murder weapon was uncovered within minutes. Alleged up-and-coming Philly button man Dominic (Baby Dom) Grande, has been identified as a suspect in the case as well. DiPietro reportedly got into a heated argument with Nicodemo that fall over an unpaid debt from a backdoor poker game Nicodemo ran.

Avena's death wasn't really the result of a civil war within the family, it was the result of a conflict between the Avena-led family and the Lanzetti gang.

Great job. Interesting reading.

You should add Franck "Franckie Steel" Stillitiano, killed by the Philly Mob (i believe it was the Narducci brothers) as a favour to the Gambinos.

(I'm guessing you didn't put Tony Caponigro and John Simone because they were not killed by the Philly Mob but by other families ?)

Stillitano was hit by Raymond Martorano and some of his people

Yes Caponigro and Simone was killed by Genoveses that put dollars in the mouth and anus of Caponigro as sign of greed.

Thanks Malavita,thanks Chicago Gigante I wasnt sure of Stilliano.

Any idea on Whisper DiTullio that was città in irishman movie?

Any infos on murders in the 1940s-1950s?

Ok,changed it.

My compliments Furio. Great list you compiled. Very exact and info filled.

Good job!

A few more murders from earlier in the Philly mob's history

1917 - Vincent Petruazelli:
Shot to death by Giovanni Cancelli following an argument over a card game.

1918 - Giovanni Cancelli:
Shot to death by Gaetano Bruno and others as revenge for the Petruazelli killing.

1927 - Joseph Zanghi, Vincent Cocozza:
The intended target of this double-homicide was Anthony Zanghi. Zanghi's gang was involved in a dispute with the family then led by Salvatore Sabella. Sabella, Antonio Pollina, Joseph Scopoletti, Dominick Festa, Luigi Quaranta and John Avena were involved in the Zanghi-Cocozza murders.

1928 - George Catania:
Mafioso under Sabella. Killed by Anthony Zanghi.

1928 - Sam Rugnetta:
Brother of Joseph Rugnetta. Killed for his involvement in prostitution.

1934 - Joseph Maggio, Anna Maggio:
Michele Maggio found his second wife Anne in bed with his son Joseph from another marriage. Maggio killed them both before surrendering to authorities and receiving a five year sentence.

1939 - Danny Day Del Giorno:
Killed for his involvement in prostitution.

1939 - Frank Piccolo:
Killed as a matter of revenge. Had recently been released from prison. Drive-by shooting.

1948 - Anthony Minerva:
Minerva owned a cheese business and sold it to Michele Maggio during WWII. After the war, Minerva tried getting his old customers back, even after when told to stop by Maggio. Peter Casella arranged Minerva's murder as a favour to Maggio. Police Lieutenant Frank Mayo dated Minerva's sister and provided Casella with information on him. Minerva was invited to a meeting with individuals at the Ticket Grill, which was then owned by Casella. Minerva was found murdered after this meeting. Angelo Bruno and Angelo Martel were believed to be the individuals who killed Minerva.

1950 - Joseph Sadia:
Sadia spread a rumour that Frank Nicoletti's wife was having an affair with former boss Salvatore Sabella. Nicoletti drove the getaway car while Angelo Bruno and Philip Testa shot Sadia to death.

1954 - Marshall Venezialle:
Venezialle was in the bootleg alcohol business with Peter and Anthony Casella. It was agreed to control the price of liquor, though Venezialle then started undercutting this agreement. Venezialle dropped out of the agreement and he became enemies with Casella. Venezialle beat up two men working for Casella and began his independent operation. Anthony Casella sent word that Venezialle would have to pay tribute to operate his independent still. Venezialle refused and it was decided to kill him. James Gatto approached Venezialle and told him he wanted him to meet his boss, Joseph Rugnetta. Venezialle went to the South Philadelphia Grill and got into an argument with Gatto and Angelo Bruno. Bruno was observed leaving this meeting with a black eye, indicating that Venezialle possibly struck him. Venezialle was found shot dead in the trunk of his brother's car. It was believed that Gatto was the intended triggerman but that he got cold feet and Bruno ended up killing Venezialle.

1957 - Alphonse Lanatto:
Lanatto was a nobody but, when drunk, would bad-mouth people. Like the Sadia murder, the hit team was believed to consist of Angelo Bruno, Philip Testa and Frank Nicoletti.

Found him in the trunk of his brother in laws car in Philly airport with his knees shot out. Philly hit him as a favor to Sammy Gravano. Stilitano killed the son of the guy Nicky Russo that Sammy talks about with the Johnny Keys hit. Stilitano was around the Gambinos and he was tough but he was a cowboy. He hid out with K&A in North Philly for a long while before it caught up with him.