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Brother of Frank Cacciatore Trafficante; Private and Private. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia Commons. "They wouldn't even let me go to the track. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. So, who was this so-called Silent Don who wielded enough power to allegedly kill the President? Husband of Private [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. Forget everything you think you know about Tampa mafia wives and girlfriends in the 1950s. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. 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. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. Born: November 15, 1914, Tampa, Florida Still, he lives comfortably enough to give his sons Jaguar sports cars, red for Dino and white for Joseph. Resend Activation Email. "I don't go to the bank and make all these billion-dollar deposits," he says. You and Santo will always have a special place in my heart. "Now when I walk in a bank," Trafficante says, "the president runs out the back door.". They raided my apartment, they were looking for money, they tore up all the furniture, they used to come and get me at nighttime, take me out in the woods, trying to tell where I had my money, this and that, until I finally went into hiding.. department.". This browser does not support getting your location. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. Son of Santo Trafficante and Maria Giuseppa Trafficante cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Search results for "Images of America" at Rakuten Kobo. I can answer any questions you . Geni requires JavaScript! Santo was known to have been deeply involved in the CIA efforts to involve the underworld in assassination attempts on Fidel Castro. Early in Trafficantes federal court case in 1986, the judge declared a mistrial. He died on March 17, 1987. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. Trafficante admitted his anti-Castro activities to the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978, and vehemently denied allegations that he had knowledge of a plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. Santo Trafficante then categorically denied every allegation about stating he wanted RFK or JFK dead and got off scot-free. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. Share to let others add their own memories and condolences. Robert Anderson aka The Killer Between 50 and 100 buildings were burned. 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. Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. Father of Private and Private Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. Returning to Miami, he joined his father, managing some . Whether or not a Mafia conspiracy was behind the assassination of Kennedy is still up for debate. He owned and operated some of the most lavish casinos in pre-Castro Cuba. Try again later. 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. Try again. After a lifetime in organized crime, Trafficante Jr. died of national causes in 1987. But according to declassified documents released in 1992, Santo Trafficante Jr. made a deathbed confession of his involvement in the Presidents murder. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. More importantly, Castro imprisoned Trafficante and then had him exiled from Cuba. Born Tampa, Florida March 24, 1920 He maintained close working ties with the Lucchese crime family and the Bonanno crime family from New York City. 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. He grimaces at the thought that the rumor has persisted so long. I have thought of you and Santo many times over the past 50 years. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. [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. You've got to be a fool to marry wrong," he says. That arrest also led Cuban authorities to become warier of the mobster, especially as the political tides seemed to be turning there. Undercover detectives ran a gambling sting operation there, hoping to nab a circle of Tampa men they said were making illegal sports bets. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. She handled great adversity and difficult, troubling times with grace, dignity, and style; with respect and love for all around her. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. The other case was a RICO indictment for insurance fraud. When his father died in 1954 he took control of these establishments. [1] In 1997, further declassified documents indicated that some mafiosi worked with the agency on assassination attempts against Castro. Josephine Marchese Trafficante One of the last surviving mobsters from the Luciano era, he died of heart disease in a Houston, Texas, hospital in 1987. Reputed 'boss of bosses' dies at 72 TAMPA, Fla, "' Trafficante dies at age 72 TAMPA. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 16th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, with service to follow at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL. [15] He repeated the claim two days later on ABC's Good Morning America,[16] in Newfield's Frontline report entitled JFK, Hoffa and Mob broadcast in November 1992,[17] and again in his 1994 autobiography Mob Lawyer. [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. By this point, Trafficante Jr. had fully taken over the oversight of drugs shipped between Florida, Cuba, and the rest of the States. Seven people were murdered. "I thought all this would end when my uncle died. The Unbelievable Story Of Richard Lee McNair The Man Who Mailed Himself Out Of Prison, What JFK's Mob-Affiliated Mistress May Have Known About His Assassination, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. He was rumored to be part of a Mafia syndicate which owned many Cuban hotels and casinos. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. Many of the familys gangsters were in prison, or too old to be effective. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Many fond memories of Santo will continue with me. Hey, they have more convicts at the track than straight people," Trafficante says. RIP Santo. His new attorney general his beloved brother, Robert F. Kennedy went after organized crime with a vengeance. His health had declined in his later years. 93461.". However, while the Latin American drug trade has figured prominently in the sunshine states less savory history, so has the Mafia. During the rule of Cuba's authoritarian dictator Fulgencio Batista, Trafficante openly operated the Sans Souci Cabaret and the Casino International gambling establishments in Havana. Trafficante would rather be force-fed raw carrot sticks for eternity than be seen talking to a reporter. Buy the time LoScalzo took over in 1987, the Trafficante Crime Family was far past its heyday. Zeng8r/Wikimedia Common A set of bolita balls. He was right, and when Castro took power in 1959, Trafficantes burgeoning gambling-and-drugs empire went under siege. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. Santo told the state attorney, I dont have an enemy in the world. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. THE CHARLIE WALL STORY Kingpin Charlie Wall (center holding bottle, right of child) and his notorious gang. He dressed nicely but not ostentatiously, and his choice of cars was never flashy. When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in. "I think it's all bull----," says Trafficante's former horse trainer, Arthur Pedregal Jr. "It's only because his name is Trafficante. Santo Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. I found on Findagrave.com. The idea behind the assassination wasnt just to punish JFK but also to get his brother off the Mobs back. 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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. Frank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr. (right). One bank filed suit in November against him and a business partner, alleging that they defaulted on an $85,000 loan for a piece of property. Please check your entries and try again. For all the power he wielded, Trafficante was often described as quiet and reserved. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. Trafficante enjoyed life in Cuba, developed a relationship with its strongman, the dictator Fulgencio Batista, and helped the Trafficante Crime family garner even more profits from its legitimate gambling operations there. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. The elder Trafficante set up illegal casinos in Cuba in the 1940s, which were sanctioned by Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. [22], sfn error: no target: CITEREFDouglass2010 (, Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 15:02, United States House Select Committee on Assassinations, Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, "With Santo Trafficante, an era is ending", "SANTO TRAFFICANTE, REPUTED MAFIA CHIEF, DIES AT 72", "Why mob bigs who met to crown a king had to run like roaches", "For Sale, a House WithAcreage.Connections Extra;Site of 1957 Gangland Raid Is Part of Auction on Saturday", "20 Apalachin Convictions Ruled Invalid On Appeal", "Narcotic Traffic Called Topic In Apalachin Talks", Memorandum for the Director of Central Intelligence, Subject: Roselli, Johnny, "Witness denies assassination, Cuba tied", "Mafia Linked In JFK Probe; By Cuban Exile", "Hoffa Lawyer: Jimmy Recruited Mob for JFK Hit", "Lawyer Says Hoffa Told 2 Mob Bosses to Have President Kennedy Killed", "Frank Ragano, 75, Lawyer for Mob and Hoffa", "The Sins of the Godfather? Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? His son was turned away from a date's house and his daughter has been refused jobs. Wikimedia CommonsPresident John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He was going to be hit.. A Hillsborough judge threw out the wiretaps, the spine of the state's case. At 76,. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. The beachfront properties were the site of many parties and barbecues. At age 16, he boarded the S.S. Lombardia and set sail for American in search of a better life. He moved to Cuba in 1955 where he met the countrys authoritarian ruler Fulgencio Batista. In a 1978 legal testimony, Trafficante discussed how quickly Castro shut it all down, then reopened the casinos on his own terms. Trafficante was one of the last surviving members of the original Luciano mob era upon his death, and the truth behind the JFK assassination may have perhaps died with him. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Failed to delete memorial. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. "When my uncle visited it was like a family reunion. He has thought about it. Bankruptcy court documents show that Trafficante is owed $500,000 by a business partner. [8] Allusions to these historic connections were confirmed by the CIA's 2007 declassification of the "Family Jewels" documents. But he was also the most powerful crime boss in pre-Castro Cuba, with influence that extended into Florida and the rest of the United States. Like many of the most prominent mobsters of the 20th century, his father, Santo Trafficante Sr., grew up in Sicily, Italy but became a major player in the criminal world after migrating to America. The guy really tried to do it right.". Those were some of the greatest memories growing up. [13] Trafficante said that he introduced the trio to Cuban exiles in Florida. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his fathers footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. And purchase valuable sports memorabilia for himself. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida [13], On January 14, 1992, Trafficante's former attorney, Frank Ragano, told Jack Newfield of the New York Post that he relayed a request from Hoffa to Trafficante and New Orleans boss Carlos Marcello to have Kennedy killed. Sorry! 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. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. And as for the rest of the Trafficante Crime family? He is currently working on his seventh book, The Jersey Mob., Feedback or questions? 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. Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. Indeed, some people would rather not dwell on the less-than-noble aspects of our local history. Learn more about merges. One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: After months of wiretapped phone conversations, investigators seized boxloads of documents, some with Trafficante's name on them. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. All Rights Reserved. In the early 1980s Trafficante was ensnared in two major cases that could have sent the aging don to prison for the first time in his life, apart from his time in the Triscornia detention camp in Cuba following Castros takeover in 1959. There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Ex-FBI agent and later Howard Hughes aide Robert Maheu of Las Vegas was one of the primary go-betweens for Trafficante. By Santo III's own estimation, this was a wise move. In the meantime, the allegation that he is a mobster has dogged him and his family. Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. Year should not be greater than current year. There was a problem getting your location. [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. The seeds for Trafficantes most interesting historical chapter were planted, as the mobster would go on to have a well-established relationship with the CIA in an ongoing effort to assassinate Castro. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. I am sorry I am unable to attend the services due to a illness. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. Chronicles of Events and Biographies Related to the American Mafia. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. With that act, Santo Trafficante now reigned supreme in Tampa. Fla. (AP), Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52792202/frank-cacciatore-trafficante, L'Unione Italiana Cemetery, Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr, Death of Santo Trafficante, Jr at Houston, TX. Who better than his son, Trafficante Jr., to inherit his throne? During a recent trip to Lake Tahoe he bought two basketballs autographed by Michael Jordan. He died of natural causes, at the age of 72, in Houston, Texas. He buys Jaguars for his two sons, hobnobs with sports stars on resort golf courses and occasionally flies to Miami for lunch at a favorite restaurant, the Rascal House. Donnie Brasco. Add to your scrapbook. "Sam Gold" was Sam Giancana; "Joe" was Trafficante. Published: March 15th, 2017 - By Scott M. Deitche, Contributing Writer, Florida Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. died 30 years ago March 17, El Chapos lawyers complain about strict rules at New York prison. Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. After that, he ordered casino owners to cough up employee back pay, then shut them down again. You have been in pain too long. And then there are the infinite conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy, many of them featuring Trafficante. His son, Santo Trafficante Jr., took over the crime family and became tangled in a web of conspiracies to kill the leader of revolutionary Cuba and, it is rumored, President John F. Kennedy. Though his prison sentence wasnt long and he returned to a strong position in Florida, Trafficante never forgave Castro. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. The senior Trafficante's name has been linked to gambling, drug-dealing and even plots to kill Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy. He was left with about 25 horses at his stable in Lutz that he couldn't race and couldn't sell for more than it cost to keep them fed. The report was given to the District Attorney's office. She was born on March 24, 1920. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. For the last 20 years, everyone knew her as JuJu. Another bank sued Trafficante and his wife in October for repayment of a $100,000 promissory note. Mrs. Gerry, Gina, Dino, Joe and Marisa - they broke the mold with Traff. English In the early 20th Century, Tampa was a small but growing city, and the organized crime it faced was modest. the daughter of immigrants from the Italian region of Basilicata. [13] He stated that he received no payment for his involvement and that he acted out of patriotism. Several were wounded. His wife also was named in the fraud charges. By December 1953, one more rival was dead and another was too scared to even venture out of his home. Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. My uncle, never wore a ring," Trafficante says. The glamorous casino in the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Havana in 1958. gerry,i am so sorry to hear about santo. In the 1960 presidential election, Kennedy family patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr. used his ties to organized crime to secure votes for his son, John F. Kennedy. In 1963, the Mob allegedly had enough of Kennedy. You can always change this later in your Account settings. But he was also the most powerful crime boss in pre-Castro Cuba, with influence that extended into Florida and the rest of the United States. I will never forget him as a fellow stroke survivor. He was the lynchpin in Tampa Charlie Wall The Kefauver hearings arrived in Tampa in December of 1950. "You hope things will just disappear two or three years from now.". This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. When Fidel Castro began his ascent to power in the 1950s, Santo Trafficante feared the radical Marxist revolutionary wouldnt cooperate with him. Trafficante's appetite and his legal woes seem linked like the strands of a cruller. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? love gloria "owens" hill. Valenti hired his son-in-law at the produce company and allowed him to name his own salary. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. The "Family Jewels" confirmed that in September 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Santo Trafficante Senior died in 1954. Please enter your email and password to sign in. In 1957 he was suspected of involvement in the barbershop slaying of Albert Anastasia, the . Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. My heart goes out to the family. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. His sons, Dino and Joseph, run it for him, though he worries that sometimes they don't work hard. More troubling for Trafficante was a court document that listed him for the first time as "a member of the Trafficante crime family.". My prayers are with all of you. While the plot never came to fruition, Trafficante later testified that he did help the CIA recruit other mobsters for the surreal plot. Our prayers are with you. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Santo Trafficante Jr. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC.