Francesco 'Ciccio' La Rocca, historic boss of Cosa Nostra, died after a long illness. He died at the Bari Polyclinic where he was under house arrest. Originally from San Michele di Ganzaria, La Rocca was the man of 'hinge' between the Catania family of Santapaola Ercolano and the 'Cosa Nostra' of Palermo.

He had recently released from prison following the worsening of his health conditions, obtaining the temporary suspension of his sentence in prison. On several occasions the collaborators of justice have spoken of the godfather of the Cosa Nostra, who have defined him as a great mediator with a flair for attracting politicians and entrepreneurs.

In 2000 it would be operational again: after the 1998 mafia war he tried to put together the pieces of the Enna, Agrigento and Nissena mafia.