He is just a businessman, he says, his money tied up in wholesale automobiles, an orange grove and real estate. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. By 1987, the Mafia boss, who had walked the casino floors of the Sans Souci in Cuba, dined and hobnobbed with Frank Sinatra in the nightclubs and hotels of South Beach, and who commanded a presence in Tampa that is still felt today, was suffering from a diseased kidney and bad heart. With that act, Santo Trafficante now reigned supreme in Tampa. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: Add to your scrapbook. The guy really tried to do it right.". Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Trafficante tried to win Castro over to his side, but that didnt work. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Scott M. Deitche, Mob Museum Advisory Council member and mob http://www.scottdeitche.com/books.htmlauthor of Tampa's favorite books, Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld & The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jror Manny Leto, previous Editor of Cigar City Magazine and Tampa historian, will guide you on a 1.5 -2 hour walking tour to old gambling palaces, street corners, and alleys where some mobsters met their demise, and restaurants where wise guys, like famed boss Santo Trafficante Jr, held court. In his previous statements, Roselli also tied Lee Harvey Oswalds killer, Jack Ruby, to Santo Trafficante. Authorities said he leaked a list of suspects in the case and then lied about it. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Our prayers are with you. The gunmen drove off, unaware they had failed to kill Trafficante, merely grazing his arm. Santo Trafficante Jr., one of the last of the old-time reputed Mafia dons, who was reportedly enlisted in 1960 in a futile effort to kill Fidel Castro, has died at the age of 72. His uncle, the late Santo Trafficante Jr., was reputed to have been the boss of the local Mafia. [15][16] He stated he was chosen by Hoffa because, as both Hoffa and Trafficante's lawyer, he could be assured of attorneyclient privilege. Under pressure of a court order granting him immunity from prosecution, but threatening him with contempt if he refused to talk, Santos admitted to a Congressional committee in 1975 that he had in the early 1960s recruited other mobsters to assassinate Castro. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. RIP Santo. While the plot never came to fruition, Trafficante later testified that he did help the CIA recruit other mobsters for the surreal plot. Josephine Marchese Trafficante, 95, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning at her home. He worked to expand the crime familys business holding and territory he was particularly interested in Cuba as a location for gambling, hotels and night clubs and worked to cement good ties with his fellow mobsters in. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing his ownership of a car dealership, and employment at various restaurants and night clubs over the years. She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. [14], The HSCA had previously quoted Aleman as stating that he thought Trafficante's use of the phrase "he is going to be hit" meant that the mob boss knew Kennedy was going to be killed. With deepest sympathy and love. Trafficante was arrested on a bookmaking conspiracy charge. "The Mob? He moved to Cuba in 1955 where he met the countrys authoritarian ruler Fulgencio Batista. He was going to be hit.. Federal investigators brought racketeering and conspiracy charges against him in the summer of 1986. He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. [11], In 1976, Cuban exile and FBI informant Jose Aleman told The Washington Post that in September 1962, Trafficante had offered him a loan of $1.5million to replace Aleman's three-story "ramshackle motel with a 12-story glass wonder. His wife also was named in the fraud charges. Trafficante Sr. passed away four years later, leaving Jr. his Tampa and Cuba-based criminal empire. Read free previews and reviews from booklovers. We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. Fine food, and lots of it. And as for the rest of the Trafficante Crime family? When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in. From bolitaan illegal version of the now-legal Florida lotteryto narcotics, Tampas experience with organized crime is as notable as Chicagos or New Yorks. So, at his attorney Ralph Fernandez's urging, he has agreed to talk publicly, hoping to shore up his damaged reputation. But once Kennedy actually entered the White House, he didnt live up to his end of the bargain. Trafficante was arrested again in 1957 for attending the famous Apalachin summit of Mob leaders in New York, but those charges were dropped. After a violent mob war left several of Trafficantes rivals dead or weakened, his gang rapidly rose to prominence in Tampa. [13] He stated that he received no payment for his involvement and that he acted out of patriotism. I think it was a case of mistaken identity.. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. There was a problem getting your location. [19] He claimed three witnesses could support his statement that he met Trafficante in Tampa, but refused to name them, adding: "One guy is afraid of retaliation. Born in Tampa, Florida to Sicilian parents Mafia don Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore. "My kids suffered a lot by it," he says. By this point, Trafficante Jr. had fully taken over the oversight of drugs shipped between Florida, Cuba, and the rest of the States. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. In this episode, we will discuss the fascinating life of Tampa's most powerful mobster: Santo Trafficante Jr. To add further credence to this theory of JFKs assassination, famed prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi (who also wrote the infamous true crime novel on the Manson Family, Helter Skelter), who penned Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, quoted a witness who said that New Orleans boss Marcello had quipped: The dog [JFK] will keep biting you if you only cut off its tail [RFK]., The final piece of evidence for the theory that Santo Trafficante was involved in JFKs assassination was a witness who reported that the mobster had once said himself that JFK not going to make it to the [1964] election. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Trafficante Sr. hung back and developed relationships with politicians and his Mob colleagues in New York and Chicago. A system error has occurred. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). In the meantime, the allegation that he is a mobster has dogged him and his family. Our heartfelt condolences go out to your family. In a final disappointment, he sold a filly named "Run Marisa Run" (after his daughter) for $7,500. In fact, Florida had the dubious distinction of being home to a decades-old Mafia criminal network: the Trafficante Family. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Who better than his son, Trafficante Jr., to inherit his throne? Santo Jr., who had inherited the leadership of the Tampa Mafia around 1950 when his father, Santo Sr., fell ill, had now completed his consolidation of power in Tampa and beyond. Peter Moruzzi/Wikimedia Commons The glamorous casino in the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Havana in 1958. Mobster Johnny Rosselli, who worked for both Trafficante and the Chicago Outfit, was another associate involved in the unsuccessful efforts to kill Castro and, according to some biographies, was the man who put Trafficante and Giancana together with Maheu. English Meanwhile, he continued to make money from the drugs that came through Tampa. I can answer any questions you . During a recent trip to Lake Tahoe he bought two basketballs autographed by Michael Jordan. Then, check out these photos of the aftermath from some of the bloodiest mob hits. We have set your language to Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Santo Trafficante Jr. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. It was clear that federal and local law enforcement had an acute interest in the Trafficante family. She was a wonderful cook, and she loved to crochet and travel with her husband, but she lived her life for her family. Weve updated the security on the site. Getting in bed with Trafficante and other leading members of Americas organized crime seems like a strange thing to do for the CIA. A year later they had their first son, Frank, born on April 16, 1910. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Santo Trafficante (53540265)? If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Mobster dies, two nations. He allegedly controlled organized crime operations in Florida and Cuba "If my uncle knew I was talking to the press, Christ, he'd shoot me," Trafficante says, half-laughing. He dropped out of high school and spent time in New York learning the trade from some of the countries toughest mobsters. [9][10] The CIA and the Mafia had a common enemy in Castro, a communist revolutionary who had shut down Cuba's lucrative casino businesses. A few months later, two members of that group took the train to New York City to drum up support for a move against Santo. U.S. Treasury Department documents indicate that law enforcement believed Trafficante's legitimate business interests to include several legal casinos in Cuba; a Havana drive-in movie theater; and shares in several restaurants and bars in Trafficante's hometown of Tampa, Florida. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Trafficante again escaped conviction. If the decision is upheld on appeal, charges against Trafficante may be dismissed. Associates: Sam Giancana, Charlie Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Cuba, Fidel Castro, Johnny Rosselli, Robert Maheu. He was severed from that trial for medical reasons. The Shore Acres home is 2,350-square-feet with 10 rooms that Capone reputedly built in 1925 for his mother. 12 talking about this. Fifteen years following the assassination, Trafficante testified in front of the United States House Select Committee on the murder of JFK in exchange for immunity. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Organized Crime Figure. At 76,. The elder Trafficante set up illegal casinos in Cuba in the 1940s, which were sanctioned by Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Plant a tree to honor the memory of your loved one. The report was given to the District Attorney's office. ). Don Santo Trafficante Jr. the godfather from Tampa, Florida, USA. Donnie Brasco. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Trafficante proceeded to open casinos in Cuba at his fathers behest and facilitated heroin smuggling by working together with famous mobsters Charles Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. Trafficante was jailed and deported when Fidel Castro rose to power, leading him to spend a good portion of his adult life hatching a plan of revenge. The men started to drive away when another sedan drove past the Mercury, the occupants unloading a blast of buckshot as they passed. "I was the most expensive forklift driver in the world," he says with a smile. President John. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Italian Club of Tampa Cemetery Fund, 1731 East 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605. But the news was not good on the Key Bank front. We cant help ourselves when it comes to watching mob films like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino and HBOs Boardwalk Empire and the iconic cable TV show, The Sopranos. The CIA came to Trafficante, and asked for his help in enlisting the Mafia to assassinate the Cuban leader. THE CHARLIE WALL STORY Kingpin Charlie Wall (center holding bottle, right of child) and his notorious gang. Santo Trafficante Sr. was a Florida mobster who survived a series of vicious gang wars to become the leader of a powerful Mafia crime family based in Tampa. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. One of the last surviving mobsters from the Luciano era, he died of heart disease in a Houston, Texas, hospital in 1987. Whether or not a Mafia conspiracy was behind the assassination of Kennedy is still up for debate. The original Malio's Restaurant located on South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, Florida. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood.Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. He escaped conviction all but once, receiving a five-year sentence for bribery in 1954, but his conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court before he entered prison. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. Trafficante weathered the violence of Floridas Mob wars and the various conspiracy theories, the Cuban Revolution and the loss of his offshore casinos, as well as intense law enforcement scrutiny, without ever spending time in prison. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. Their plans ranged from simply shooting him to having him smoke poisoned cigars or drinking a tainted milkshake. Santo Jr., who had inherited the leadership of the Tampa Mafia around 1950 when his father, Santo Sr., fell ill, had now completed his consolidation of power in Tampa and beyond. The idea behind the assassination wasnt just to punish JFK but also to get his brother off the Mobs back. Phil Alessi, a childhood friend, marvels at Trafficante's taste and capacity. He will always be remembered with fondness. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Services will be followed by a graveside service at the Italian Club Cemetery and a reception at the family home. Trafficante scrambled out the passenger-side door. Josephine Marchese Trafficante Santo Trafficante 5 10 (1.78 m) Born November 15, 1914 Tampa, Florida, USA Died March 17, 1987 Spouse Josephine Marchese April 17, 1938 - March 17, 1987 (his death, 2 children) Publicity listings 2 Portrayals Did you know Edit Trivia Represented by Frank Ragano. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Reputed 'boss of bosses' dies at 72 TAMPA, Fla, "' Trafficante dies at age 72 TAMPA. There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. [21], Trafficante was summoned to court in 1986 and questioned about his involvement with the King's Court Bottle Club operated by members of the Bonanno crime family, including undercover FBI agent Joseph D. "Joe" Pistone, a.k.a. 0 cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA. A full report was made by the Cuban police, dated January 23, 1958, includes transcripts of long-distance telephone calls made from the Sans Souci during the period AugustDecember 1957. That arrest also led Cuban authorities to become warier of the mobster, especially as the political tides seemed to be turning there. THE HIT THAT EXPOSED SOME OF TAMPAS ELITE. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Frank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr. (right). [18] According to Ragano, he met Hoffa at the Teamsters' headquarters in Washington, DC, then delivered the message to Trafficante and Marcello in a meeting at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. It wasn't somebody going into a back room to kiss somebody's ring. The choice was nothing more than honoring a tradition. Failed to remove flower. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Alongside Chicago boss Sam Giancana, Roselli and Trafficante came up with some truly insane plots to kill Fidel Castro. We never paid cash. Died: March 17, 1987, Houston, Texas I hold such fond memories of Santo & Gerry when I was growing up. The charges of bank fraud against Trafficante and more than a dozen bank employees and customers may well be dismissed. At this point in our collective history, we're not sure anyone would be surprised to learn that there is, in fact, something called The Mafia. What you might be surprised to learn, however, is how prevalent-even rampantorganized crime in Tampa was in the early and mid-20th century. I have thought of you and Santo many times over the past 50 years. Santos married Josephine Marchese in 1938, they would have two daughters. In 1954, Santo Sr. died of natural causes (at a time when some of his remaining rivals were still being violently dispatched), and his son took over leadership of the crime family. He drove a forklift for 20 years. After a violent mob war left several of Trafficantes rivals dead or weakened, his gang rapidly rose to prominence in Tampa. Salcines was observed at the properties the weekend of June 9, 1967. My ex-wife Erline Lazzara was a childhood friend you might remember. Try again later. As such, Trafficante Sr. controlled gambling rackets for bolita, a lottery game popular in Florida and Cuba, until 1940 when the murder of Tampa boss Ignacio Antinori pushed the Trafficantes to assume ultimate power in the Florida underworld. He sought treatment for stomach cancer and was ready to hand power over to a trusted lieutenant. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. Santo Jr. succeeded his father as the boss of Tampa upon his death. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior. All Rights Reserved. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. He headed the Trafficante crime family and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Reputedly the most powerful crime boss in Batista -era Cuba, he . She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. However, there were events outside of the United States and even organized crime that inadvertently led Santo Trafficante Jr. to put his own peculiar stamp on American history. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. He worked to expand the crime familys business holding and territory he was particularly interested in Cuba as a location for gambling, hotels and night clubs and worked to cement good ties with his fellow mobsters in New York City. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. He headed the Trafficante crime family from 1954 to 1987 and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. The IRS was unsuccessful, according to Fernandez, Trafficante's attorney. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987 ). "But then you get into alias this and alias that and when they get you in court, you probably just create more problems," he says. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The mobsters also attempted to get Castro into a poisoned wetsuit and even offered to blow him up with an exploding seashell. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida Trafficantes partnership with Batista was profitable for both parties and so the mobsters fate became inextricably tied to that of Cubas political climate. Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. And all this occurred throughout seven Sylvia at age 12 and her father Jimmy Velasco in California, June 1948 Jimmy Velasco was a political fixer. Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. A Hillsborough judge threw out the wiretaps, the spine of the state's case. Santo Trafficante Jr, was born on November 15, 1914 in Tampa, Florida and followed in the footsteps of his father, Santo Trafficante Sr, into a life of organized crime. Santo, Jr. never spent a day in jail, and he died of natural causes in 1987. President John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. Robert Anderson aka The Killer Between 50 and 100 buildings were burned. They lived in modest, ranch-style houses in quiet neighborhoods in Tampa and Miami. He was accused of making false financial statements for loans he used to invest in his citrus business, to purchase luxury cars and to buy a beach condo. I will never forget him as a fellow stroke survivor. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. Send your deepest condolences with fresh flowers. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? In the early 20th Century, Tampa was a small but growing city, and the organized crime it faced was modest. Despite all of this or, perhaps, because of it, a few writers and filmmakers have chosen to focus on organized crime, determined to give Tampa its due. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo Paniello and Sarah Ann Valdes; her grandchildren, Dr. Santo Paniello and wife Susan; Dina Smith and husband Don; Melissa Castellana and husband John; and Valerie Cordell and husband Ian; her great-grandchildren, Michael Sierra, Elizabeth Paniello, Sam Paniello, Christopher Paniello, Christina Castellana, Augie Castellana, Alexa Cordell, Anna Cordell Drew Smith, Allison Hunt and husband Joey; as well as endless extended family. According to Scott M. Deitche in The Silent Don, the family was profiting not only from its offshore casinos but from narcotics trafficking. After a lifetime in organized crime, Trafficante Jr. died of national causes in 1987. Geni requires JavaScript! Resend Activation Email. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Desr Gerry, please know that I am thinking of you and never forget the kindness bestowed on me in my difficult time but especially the generosity and affection shown to my daughter and grandson. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Conspiracy theorists consider Giancana along with Mafia leaders Santo Trafficante Jr. and Carlos Marcello associated with the assassination of Kennedy. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Santo Trafficante grew up in the Florida underworld, working his father's gambling rackets and getting experience in the business. The next son was Luigi Santo Trafficante Jr. (his namesake and future Mafia boss), born on November 15, 1914. Santo Jr. was indicted several times through the 1950s but was convicted only once, on state charges in 1954 for bribery, and that conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. But the mobster tag has outlasted the case itself. Nicknames: The Silent Don In 1959, the Cuban Revolution toppled the corrupt Batista government and the rebel leader, Fidel Castro, nationalized foreign-owned properties and shuttered the casinos, a huge financial blow to Trafficante, who was second only to Meyer Lansky in the depth of his investments in Havana. We have to admit we are fascinated by the whole idea of the mafia and the people we knew and the whispers we grew up hearing. He went to Jesuit High School and played some football. Returning to Miami, he joined his father, managing some . prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. She lived an exciting life dividing her time between her multiple family members and friends in Tampa, Miami and Havana. [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior . Still, he lives comfortably enough to give his sons Jaguar sports cars, red for Dino and white for Joseph. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Florida, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1823-1982, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Santo Trafficante, Sr., the powerful Trafficante crime family's patriarch, was born on May 28, 1886, in Alexandria Della Rocca, Sicily.