by maxiestern11 » Tue May 21, 2019 6:33 am
Frank Cocchiaro alias “Frankie Coch”, “Big Frank”. Born/lived in Astoria-LI City section of Queens, NY. By the late 1940’s a NYC based associate in the Nicolo Delmore Family of NJ. (later named the DeCavalcante Family). Older brother of Carmelo (Melio) Cocchiaro, who also became an inducted member in that family. By the early 1950’s Frank was a very active associate-member of the family. He was known as a bookie and all around hoodlum, pulling off several high profile robberies and thefts in the Queens-NYC area. He was a suspect, and later charged, in the famed Woodside, Queens bank robbery that netted several hundred thousand dollars. A major haul especially for that era, circa 1955. Also charged were a rag-tag group of hoods among them several members of what was known as
“The Arsenal Mob”, the “Irish Mob”
of Manhattan’s westside docks led by Edward McGrath. By the late 1950’s Frank became an inducted soldier in the family. His associates included Rudy Farone, Louis Farese, Angelo Gallo, Jimmy Rotondo, Gaetano (Corky) Vastola, Joseph Giacobbe, and other members of the NY wing of the family. Also close to Gambino members Anthony (Tony) Carubia and Anthony (Tony) Vanella. As he rose in prominence became more active in NJ and Florida, being bumped up to Caporegime by the late 1960’s. As the FBI and the strike force applied renewed pressure on mob families across the region, Cocchiaro was repeatedly called before the grand jury in NJ. He choose to flee the jurisdiction as opposed to take the fifth and be cited for criminal contempt of court.
He settled in South Florida, hiding out until one day getting caught by local police. He was driving and had a slight auto accident. Once he could not produce a valid drivers license, his true identify became known and he was extradited back to NJ. Eventually settled in Florida,
following boss Sam DeCavalcante.
Became very active running a “crew” including his brother Melio, and his son/nephew Rosario (Russ) Cocchiaro.
Appx 1980, the FBI indicted the “Cocchiaro” crew in Florida on RICO charges; extortion, gambling and
usury, narcotics violations, etc. He
was convicted and sentenced to 20
years in prison. The pitcher Denny McLain figured into this indictment.
Frank Cocchiaro alias “Frankie Coch”, “Big Frank”. Born/lived in Astoria-LI City section of Queens, NY. By the late 1940’s a NYC based associate in the Nicolo Delmore Family of NJ. (later named the DeCavalcante Family). Older brother of Carmelo (Melio) Cocchiaro, who also became an inducted member in that family. By the early 1950’s Frank was a very active associate-member of the family. He was known as a bookie and all around hoodlum, pulling off several high profile robberies and thefts in the Queens-NYC area. He was a suspect, and later charged, in the famed Woodside, Queens bank robbery that netted several hundred thousand dollars. A major haul especially for that era, circa 1955. Also charged were a rag-tag group of hoods among them several members of what was known as
“The Arsenal Mob”, the “Irish Mob”
of Manhattan’s westside docks led by Edward McGrath. By the late 1950’s Frank became an inducted soldier in the family. His associates included Rudy Farone, Louis Farese, Angelo Gallo, Jimmy Rotondo, Gaetano (Corky) Vastola, Joseph Giacobbe, and other members of the NY wing of the family. Also close to Gambino members Anthony (Tony) Carubia and Anthony (Tony) Vanella. As he rose in prominence became more active in NJ and Florida, being bumped up to Caporegime by the late 1960’s. As the FBI and the strike force applied renewed pressure on mob families across the region, Cocchiaro was repeatedly called before the grand jury in NJ. He choose to flee the jurisdiction as opposed to take the fifth and be cited for criminal contempt of court.
He settled in South Florida, hiding out until one day getting caught by local police. He was driving and had a slight auto accident. Once he could not produce a valid drivers license, his true identify became known and he was extradited back to NJ. Eventually settled in Florida,
following boss Sam DeCavalcante.
Became very active running a “crew” including his brother Melio, and his son/nephew Rosario (Russ) Cocchiaro.
Appx 1980, the FBI indicted the “Cocchiaro” crew in Florida on RICO charges; extortion, gambling and
usury, narcotics violations, etc. He
was convicted and sentenced to 20
years in prison. The pitcher Denny McLain figured into this indictment.