Ettore Zappi

[AlexfromSouth]

Hey, I was searching about him on this forum and it's little info. Any info about his beggings, hangouts ,arrest record, early life, etc..Thanks everybody in advance

[maxiestern11]

Ettore (Terry) Zappi - May have born 1905 in Naples, Italy. Settled in south Brooklyn by the 1920’s. Already involved with the mob. Seems to have been involved in early conflicts and shootouts in that era. Became affiliated at some point with D’Aquila and Gambino. He was active in bootlegging and was charged in New Jersey for prohibition violations but seems to have avoided a jail term. Became afifiliated by the mid-late 1940’s in labor union activity. He actually became an official of Teamsters Local # 854, and thrived for many years. One of his biggest targets for unionization was the Castro Convertible Co., Zappi organized it and in 1957 actually took over ownership of the company. In spite of Local #854 being one of the smaller locals (with less than 1500 members), because of its stranglehold on several key companies in several industries became a valuable asset to the Gambino Family. By this time he and Carlo Gambino became very close friends and associates. With Gambino’s rise in the family to the boss seat, Zappi was made a “Capo di decine”, presiding over a large crew which included John Allu, Steve and Frank (Frankie Dap) Dapolito and Natale (Chris) Richichi, Frank (The Wop) Gagliardi, his son Anthony (Tony) Zappi and others. By the early 1960’s he had bought lots and built a beautiful oceanfront home at 30 Club Drive in Massapqua for himself and at 34 Club Drive for his “compare” Carlo Gambino. As next door neighbors their relationship grew even closer and it could be argued that Ettore Zappi rose to become Gambino’s top Capo and adviser (actually serving more in the capacity of a de facto Consigliere than Capo per se). Joseph N. Gallo had the official title of Consigliere but Zappi had the boss’s ear non the less and counseled Gambino often (Gambino respected Zappi’s opinion very much). Zappi had an eye for legitimate business which Gambino respected. By the mid-1960’s Zappi bought a winter home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he started spending more time. He was given supervision at one point of Gambino members in South Florida in addition to his NY crew. He became a partner in the T. & D. Drive-In Movie in Miami. And as the 1970’s approached a fellow by the name of Bobby Rubino came to Zappi with an idea for a baby-back Rib Restaurant. The rest is history. Zappi became a silent partner in the Bobby Rubino’s Ribs throughout the east coast. His grandson Frank Galgano was installed to operate several Bobby Rubino’s in Florida.
He started spending more and more time in Florida, leaving the day to day operations to his trusted “acting Capo” Frank Dapolito. Dapolito had been installed as
“business manager” of Local #854. Tony Zappi became secretary-treasurer. All through the 1960-80’s both would work in tandem to maintain the cash cow that was #854. The local was based in Valley Stream for many years. Local # 854, Television, Radio, Instrument, Business Machines and Furniture Manufacturers Drivers, Workers, Warehousemen and Employees Union International Beotherhood of Teamsters (Independent), An employee of this local and friend of Anthony Zappi was the doomed John Favara, who of course in later years would run over and kill John Gotti’s young son Frankie. Favara would be kidnapped after leaving work for the day at Castro Convertible (but that’s a story for another day - Lol). By the 1980’s with the federal governments cleanup and purging of all mob elements from labor unions Frank Dapolito and Anthony Zappi would resign their union posts before being officially kicked out by the feds. Frankie Dap was hired by Joseph Curcio, a family associate and owner of several multi-million dollar bus companies in Brooklyn that held huge contracts with the city to bus school children. Dapolito seemlessly moved into the very companies that his union local had represented, making millions more for the Gambino Family in the process. Ettore Zappi died in Florida by the early-mid 1980’s (I don’t have the exact date). But his accomplishments lived on. He had an arrest record by the early 1920’s for assault and robbery, possession of a gun, felonious assault with a
weapon, liquor law violations. Convicted once of prohibition law violation. Activities: labor racketeering, large-scale shylocking. ....... he was active for over 65 years amassing great wealth and largely avoiding public exposure and jail. A confidant of several succeeding family administrations. By all accounts a high respected and major player who kept a very low key profile and violence to a minimum..... from a bygone era!..........

As though Ettore Zappi had not accomplished enough in his life for himself and the Gambino Family. One of his protégés was Robert (DB) DiBernardo. In the late 1960’s DiBernardo entered the pornography rackets. This semi legitimate business became a multi-million dollar windfall for the mob. Zappi gave DiBernardo his blessing to expand and helped him with cross country distribution, providing the Gambino Family clout and backing. Zappi’s Son Anthony was put in to supervise this operation for his father and Carlo, in addition to his union duties. Anthony (Tony) Zappi actually was indicted in California in appx 1970-71 on pornography charges. He eventually beat the case. But it showed the involvement and profit potential that Terry Zappi would involve his own son in this activity. DiBernardo of course thrived for many years making millions for himself and the Gambino’s. After Terry’s death DiBernardo aligned himself direct with the administration and Paul Castellano viewed him as a favorite. With Gotti’s acension to Boss DiBernardo got caught up in Family politics and jealousy and was murdered by Sammy Gravano who of course absorbed his rackets and businesses. Again the saga goes on and on! .... till the next post!

[z23]

'BOBBY' RUBINO, FOUNDER OF EATERY
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xp ... story.html#

[maxiestern11]