What do We Know about the Newark Family?

[JoelTurner]

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

[JoelTurner]

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

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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.

[JoelTurner]

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/)

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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.

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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.

[Woofinator]

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.

[B.]

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