THE BLACK HAND FORUM

by **JoelTurner** » Sat May 11, 2024 3:33 pm

Woofinator wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:34 am The surname Calabrese seemed familiar to me. Nicolo's Schiro's business partner (or employee?) in his Real Estate business was named Vincent John Calabrese. Vincent Calabrese was also the witness on Schiro's 1923 passport application.

However, I checked and it turned out to be just a coincidence. Vincent Calabrese was born in Brooklyn but according to Vincent's father's (Gioacchino Calabrese) naturalization, his father was born in Palermo. I did find these newspaper articles mentioning Vincent J. Calabrese:

Vincent J. Calabrese arrested for fake revenue seals The_Brooklyn_Daily_Eagle_Sat__Feb_4__1922_pg. 7.jpg

Calabrese arrested for fake revenue seals from page 7 of the 04 Feb. 1922 Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Notice the 441 Marcy Ave. address, Schiro's business address.

Nicolo Schiro summons The_Brooklyn_Citizen_Fri__Sep_4__1931_pg. 10.jpg

A newspaper ad for a judicial summons for Nicolo Schiro from page 10 of the 04 Sept. 1931 Brooklyn Citizen. Now Schiro had already fled by this time and obviously wouldn't be making a court appearance. But one of the other defendants listed is Vincent Calabrese.

There's a photograph of 441 Marcy Ave. taken in 1931 that's on the New York City Historical Society's website as a part of their collection of NYC subway construction photos. Here's a cropped version showing the building:

Schiro 441 Marcy Ave 1931 cropped 5d.png

It's the building on the right with the Friel loans ad and the car in front. Now it's a year after Schiro fled, but I think it's good we're able to get at least this since the building was knocked down sometime in the following decade. Here's a link to the NYHS website on the collection if they want to look for more photos:

https://digitalcollections.nyhistory.or ... s%3Asubway

In summary, there's no apparent relationship between Michael and Vincent Calabrese but I went too far down this rabbit hole so I might as well post all this here even if there's nothing here about Newark.

What happened to Vincent Calabrese in later years, post-Schiro’s tenure as boss?

by B. » Sat Apr 13, 2024 8:48 pm

Nice work. Even when a lead doesn't pan out it can often produce other leads worth looking into. I appreciate when you post.

by **Woofinator** » Sat Apr 13, 2024 3:34 am

The surname Calabrese seemed familiar to me. Nicolo's Schiro's business partner (or employee?) in his Real Estate business was named Vincent John Calabrese. Vincent Calabrese was also the witness on Schiro's 1923 passport application.

However, I checked and it turned out to be just a coincidence. Vincent Calabrese was born in Brooklyn but according to Vincent's father's (Gioacchino Calabrese) naturalization, his father was born in Palermo. I did find these newspaper articles mentioning Vincent J. Calabrese:

Vincent J. Calabrese arrested for fake revenue seals The_Brooklyn_Daily_Eagle_Sat__Feb_4__1922_pg. 7.jpg

Calabrese arrested for fake revenue seals from page 7 of the 04 Feb. 1922 Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Notice the 441 Marcy Ave. address, Schiro's business address.

Nicolo Schiro summons The_Brooklyn_Citizen_Fri__Sep_4__1931_pg. 10.jpg

A newspaper ad for a judicial summons for Nicolo Schiro from page 10 of the 04 Sept. 1931 Brooklyn Citizen. Now Schiro had already fled by this time and obviously wouldn't be making a court appearance. But one of the other defendants listed is Vincent Calabrese.

There's a photograph of 441 Marcy Ave. taken in 1931 that's on the New York City Historical Society's website as a part of their collection of NYC subway construction photos. Here's a cropped version showing the building:

Schiro 441 Marcy Ave 1931 cropped 5d.png

It's the building on the right with the Friel loans ad and the car in front. Now it's a year after Schiro fled, but I think it's good we're able to get at least this since the building was knocked down sometime in the following decade. Here's a link to the NYHS website on the collection if they want to look for more photos:

https://digitalcollections.nyhistory.or ... s%3Asubway

In summary, there's no apparent relationship between Michael and Vincent Calabrese but I went too far down this rabbit hole so I might as well post all this here even if there's nothing here about Newark.

by **JoelTurner** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:06 am

JoelTurner wrote: ↑Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:40 pm The Joseph Canelle mentioned was likely Joseph Cannella.

Here’s a better look at Joseph Cannella

His naturalization was witnessed by Benjamin Grippi & Antonio Galati

On Oct 11 1926, he was arrested at a liquor still with Mauro Cossentino & Antonio Galati

(https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/220918515/)

————————

They were a part of a larger bootlegging ring. Here’s who was in this group:

- Antonio Galati (May 29 1889 - San Cipirello): In addition to his bootlegging, he was also involved a money printer scam. He lived at 148 Heckel St, Belleville, NJ.

Marco LiMandri lived a few houses away (195 Heckel St, Belleville, NJ). His wife Mary Pecoraro, daughter of Morello Family figure Giovanni Pecoraro, was also from San Cipirello.

- Pasquale Mutarielli (Feb 19 1887 - Salerno, Campania): Known as “The King of Bootleggers”, his home was bombed on Sep 3 1926. He disappeared after this incident, appears to have moved Philadelphia living at 401 E Haines St.

- Gaetano Napolitano (Jun 23 1889 - Marigliano): Partnered with Mutarielli, he was murdered via shotgun on Sep 23 1926

- Michael Calabrese (Feb 18 1898 - Villarosa, Enna, Sicily): Born to Pietro & Teresa Calabrese, he was married to Josephine Rispoli. Could have been related to Galati’s wife Rosina Calabrese. Lived at 16 Bloomfield Ave, Belleville, NJ; this was diagonal to Salvatore Grippi’s home.

- Mauro Conssentino (Nov 10 1898 - Marigliano): Lived at 84 N 15th St, East Orange, NJ. Married to Rachela Palma from Tito

- Ernest Distefano [Couldn’t find a match]

Galati, Calabrese, and Distefano were arrested of for the murder of Napolitano.

————————

1) Between traveling with Salvatore Mangiaracina on his last trip before his “disappearance” and all these naturalizations, Benjamin Grippi looks like he was really connected to this group.

2) Napolitano & Cossentino’s shared hometown of Marigliano is interesting too; Richie Boiardo was from there. There is a possibility that these men could have a Camorra background.

by **JoelTurner** » Sat Mar 02, 2024 9:18 pm

Here's some info on Bill Molinaro, mobster who claimed to be a Cleveland member "loaned out" to the DeCavalcante group:

- Born as CAMILLIO MOLINARO on Oct 6 1914 (or Oct 16) to Legiadro Molinaro (Tufo, Avellino, Campania) and Georgiana "Virginia" Mengozzi in Orange, NJ

- His sister EDITH MOLINARO, born Jun 10 1907 - Orange, NJ, was married to Gambino member MICHAEL 'SKINNY MIKE' PECORARO. His father Giovanni had been an important figure in the Morello organization before being killed in 1923.

- Sister to Mike, MARIANA PECORARO, was married to MARCO LIMANDRI. Both of their families would later move to southern California

----------

Mike Pecoraro lived in NJ for a while.

He lived at 20 Hewitt Ave, Belleville, NJ. This was about a minute away from where the LiMandri family lived (679 Belleville Ave, Belleville, NJ). He may have also lived in Kearny, NJ for some time. Both his FIL's naturalization and an article about an arrest reference that city.

In addition to a bootlegging pinch alongside LiMandri and his SIL Frank Fiorello, he was also arrested for liquor with future Philadelphia member Fred Salerno in 1941.

by **JoelTurner** » Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:53 am

Here's some interesting info on Gambino member Vincent Todaro:

- Though he was too young to have been a member, he was likely an associate of the Newark Family. His early arrests, under the name Frank Todaro, were for liquor in the Vineland area. In 1940, he was the Frank A. Todaro indicted with Sam Accardi and Frank DeCavalcante

- His family was from San Cipirello and lived at 29 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, NJ.

- His sister Domenica "Mille" Todaro married Charles Matranga.

- His father Andrea's naturalization was witnessed by Benedetto Grippi, son of Bonanno member Salvatore Grippi

by **JoelTurner** » Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:55 pm

Antiliar wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:00 pm I was going over Rocco Fischetti's file and it mentioned a meeting at Joe Accardo's house in Livingston, NJ, attended by Rocco, Abner Zwillman, and others unmentioned in 1946. I'm wondering if this is Joe Accardi.

In 1946, his sister Patricia Accardi and her husband Onofrio Abate lived at 49 Hillside Ave, Livingston, NJ. At the time, Joe Accardi was still single, seeing as he may have been bouncing around during this period, it's quite possible that he briefly lived with them. If he resided there and hosted a meeting, outsiders wouldn't necessarily have known who exactly owned the house.

By 1949, he was married and living at 312 Mt. Prospect Ave, Newark, NJ.

Antiliar wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:00 pm Charles and Rocco Fischetti were friends of Johnny D'Agostino [...] his father (maybe both parents) came from Messina. The document described him as the boss of Egg Harbor.

There were other Messinese in Egg Harbor. In 1936, Joe Abate and John Lardiere were arrested there with some South Jersey locals who were Messinese: Gus and Anthony Cappella from Gesso, Joseph Rifice from Naso, and Philip Grasso from Malvagna.

I'd seen D'Agostino's name as a part of Enoch "Nucky" Johnson's group, but I haven't looked into any of them. A lot of those people seemed to have big titles: Danny Stebbins - Nightclub Czar, George Hill - Race wire King, etc. I know that Herman "Stumpy" Orman led this group in their later years.

On the topic of Atlantic County, NJ and Chicago ties, Paul "Skinny" D'Amato who was the front owner of the 500 Club comes to mind.

B. wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:07 am That crew was connected to Chicago through Joe Abate who once associated with the Gennas and Abate was allegedly a cousin of the Accardis though he came from Marsala and not Vita.

I haven't seen any reference saying that Joe Abate was a cousin to the Accardi bros. However, I think it would be a lot likelier that Onofrio Abate was their cousin. Seeing as he was also from Vita and married their sister, it strikes me as being more probable. With Onofrio being fairly obscure, it's possible there may have been some confusion over the years.

Of course, I wouldn't rule out Joe Abate being related. We don't know anything about his family background and the Accardi bros were related to other mafia members from Trapani like Vincent Moresellino.

by B. » Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:07 am

Antiliar wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:00 pm
JoelTurner wrote: ↑Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:17 pm In September 1941, Joe Accardi plead guilty to liquor charges. Interestingly, he was reported to be living at 92 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

(https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280315687/)

What’s interesting is that was where Anna Bevinetto, wife of murdered Newark underboss Sam Monaco, was living in the 1940 census.

(https://www.familysearch.org/tree/sourc ... 3Y?context)

Additionally, Accardi’s bootlegging partner, Charles Matranga lived next door at 90 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

—————

Joe Accardi wasn’t living with Anna Monaco in the 1940 census, she was a widow with her 2 daughters. In fact, I haven’t been able to find him at all.

On his mother’s Dec 1940 death certificate, he’s living with his parents at 283 1st Ave, Newark, NJ.

His WW2 draft card has him at 201 Eardley Ave, Pacific Grove, CA. This was Sam Vassallo’s address in the 1940 census, however he doesn’t appear there either.
I was going over Rocco Fischetti's file and it mentioned a meeting at Joe Accardo's house in Livingston, NJ, attended by Rocco, Abner Zwillman, and others unmentioned in 1946. I'm wondering if this is Joe Accardi. Livingston is only 11 miles west of Bloomfield. Maybe Joel can confirm if Joe Accardi ever lived in Livingston.

Unrelated, elsewhere it said that Charles and Rocco Fischetti were friends of Johnny D'Agostino, who owned Renault Winery in Egg Harbor (near Atlantic City). D'Agostino was born in NJ, but his father (maybe both parents) came from Messina. He was a major bootlegger in the 1920s and 30s, and was indicted in the 1937 John Torrio federal tax conspiracy case. He was killed in a car accident in 1948 or 49. The document described him as the boss of Egg Harbor.

Good find. The Accardi brothers did use the Accardo spelling too. That crew was connected to Chicago through Joe Abate who once associated with the Gennas and Abate was allegedly a cousin of the Accardis though he came from Marsala and not Vita.

Never heard of D'Agostino. Wonder if he was an early Genovese member in Egg Harbor.

by **Antiliar** » Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:00 pm

JoelTurner wrote: ↑Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:17 pm In September 1941, Joe Accardi plead guilty to liquor charges. Interestingly, he was reported to be living at 92 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

(https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280315687/)

What’s interesting is that was where Anna Bevinetto, wife of murdered Newark underboss Sam Monaco, was living in the 1940 census.

(https://www.familysearch.org/tree/sourc ... 3Y?context)

Additionally, Accardi’s bootlegging partner, Charles Matranga lived next door at 90 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

—————

Joe Accardi wasn’t living with Anna Monaco in the 1940 census, she was a widow with her 2 daughters. In fact, I haven’t been able to find him at all.

On his mother’s Dec 1940 death certificate, he’s living with his parents at 283 1st Ave, Newark, NJ.

His WW2 draft card has him at 201 Eardley Ave, Pacific Grove, CA. This was Sam Vassallo’s address in the 1940 census, however he doesn’t appear there either.

I was going over Rocco Fischetti's file and it mentioned a meeting at Joe Accardo's house in Livingston, NJ, attended by Rocco, Abner Zwillman, and others unmentioned in 1946. I'm wondering if this is Joe Accardi. Livingston is only 11 miles west of Bloomfield.

Unrelated, elsewhere it said that Charles and Rocco Fischetti were friends of Johnny D'Agostino, who owned Renault Winery in Egg Harbor (near Atlantic City). D'Agostino was born in NJ, but his father (maybe both parents) came from Messina. He was a major bootlegger in the 1920s and 30s, and was indicted in the 1937 John Torrio federal tax conspiracy case. He was killed in a car accident in 1948 or 49. The document described him as the boss of Egg Harbor.

by **JoelTurner** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 5:51 pm

B. wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:25 am Not aware of any hard intel beyond a member he sponsored and his sons ending up there.

I would guess Battaglia ended up with the Catena crew later as they seem to have had more of the Sicilians than the other NJ Genovese crews, especially the ones from Caltanissetta / Enna.

I’d guess so too. Also, the DeCarlo and Boiardo crews were basically their respective gangs while the Catena crew had a lot more “miscellaneous” members.

I do have to add that Battaglia told an informant (NY 3586-C-TE) that he could always be contacted at Sorrento's which was Boiardo's restaurant.

by B. » Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:25 am

Not aware of any hard intel beyond a member he sponsored and his sons ending up there.

I would guess Battaglia ended up with the Catena crew later as they seem to have had more of the Sicilians than the other NJ Genovese crews, especially the ones from Caltanissetta / Enna.

by **JoelTurner** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:04 am

Is there anything saying that Pietro Campisi joined the Genovese family?

Looking back, here’s what we actually know:

- Pietro Campisi sponsored Carmine Battaglia into the Newark Family.

- Pietro Campisi died on Nov 11 1940.

- Carmine Battaglia “returned the favor” and sponsored 3 of Pietro’s sons (Thomas, Charles, Anthony) into the Genovese family.

There’s no real indication that Pietro himself was ever a Genovese member. His sons were only in that family because they were sponsored by Battaglia.

Battaglia would have fit well in the Moretti crew; they had several members from Enna/Caltanissetta. Notably, his friend Ralph Belvedere from Barrafranca whom he sponsored church flags with in June 1936, before the breakup.

On the other, Pietro Campisi, being from Camporeale, would be fairly unique in the Genovese family. I’m not aware of any other of their members being from there.

Of course, this doesn’t rule him out as having been a member. It’s just that, other than his sons landing with that family, there’s no real indication that he was ever with them.

by B. » Tue Nov 14, 2023 3:46 pm

Great connections.

by **JoelTurner** » Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:17 pm

In September 1941, Joe Accardi plead guilty to liquor charges. Interestingly, he was reported to be living at 92 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

(https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280315687/)

What’s interesting is that was where Anna Bevinetto, wife of murdered Newark underboss Sam Monaco, was living in the 1940 census.

(https://www.familysearch.org/tree/sourc ... 3Y?context)

Additionally, Accardi’s bootlegging partner, Charles Matranga lived next door at 90 N 15th St, Bloomfield, NJ.

—————

Joe Accardi wasn’t living with Anna Monaco in the 1940 census, she was a widow with her 2 daughters. In fact, I haven’t been able to find him at all.

On his mother’s Dec 1940 death certificate, he’s living with his parents at 283 1st Ave, Newark, NJ.

His WW2 draft card has him at 201 Eardley Ave, Pacific Grove, CA. This was Sam Vassallo’s address in the 1940 census, however he doesn’t appear there either.

by **JoelTurner** » Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:31 pm

B. wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 8:53 pm So the Gaspare Mangiaracina from the Lucchese Family list is still unaccounted for. Will have to see what I can find.

I’m wondering if the Liborio Mangiaracina that I found may have been the Gaspare Mangiaracina on the Lucchese membership list.

He was generally listed as Liborio J Mangiaracina; his WW2 draft card had him as Liborio John Mangiaracina. If “Gaspare” was anglicized, maybe it could have been to John though I would guess it generally would be to Jasper which still matches his initials.

The government seemed to think that the informant was referring to a Detroit figure. There was a Gaspare S Mangiaracina (not Liborio), born Mar 24 1898 in Mazzara Del Vallo, who lived at 5727 Baldwin St, Detroit, MI. He did have arrests for gambling and liquor. Interestingly, Bill Feather’s 1930-1950 Detroit chart lists the Newark one though he never lived in Michigan.

Liborio Mangiaracina owned a garment factor which fits the Lucchese paradigm; additionally he died only in 1979. It’s possible that he could have been an obscure Lucchese member who snuck onto that list.

——————————-

Something interesting to note is that Newark -> San Jose member Anthony Scavuzzo listed his employment in 1942 at Liborio Mangiaracina’s clothing factory, Varsity Clothing Co. (211 Grant Ave, East Newark, NJ).

The LCN Bios post on him list his employment address as 211 Grand Ave, Newark, NJ. However, other sources place it at Grant Ave; Grand Ave also appears to be residential.

THE BLACK HAND FORUM

What do We Know about the Newark Family?

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