Maxie's Bonanno Profiles

[maxiestern11]

Very good kid!.... I had no idea who had killed him or why it was done! Thanks for the good add-on information to this thread.

PS: if you get a chance, read my new Colombo post of a few minutes ago. It’s on Frank Campione. A very interesting guy I thought.

[maxiestern11]

JOSEPH ZUMMO - born 1930, in Brooklyn (possibly Ridgewood). By the 1960’s he had relocated out to Suffolk County (15 Frederick Avenue, Bayshore).
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The brother of Thomas Zummo who was reported to be one of the last casualties in the “Banana war” of the 1960’s. Tommy Zummo (alleged to be an enforcer for rebel faction leader Frank Mari) was shot to death in the lobby of a Queens apartment house in early 1969 by two assailants.

Note: [we now know that it was a personal killing committed by future Bonanno Boss Joseph Massino, for reasons unrelated to the war]
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First identified by Suffolk Rackets Squad investigators while probing the Bonanno war. He was said to be in the Sciacca - “rebel camp” against Joe Bonanno and his son Bill.

Joseph was, like his brother Tommy, aligned under (Frankie T) Mari.
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Activities: specialized in organized auto-theft rings, gambling.
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Joe Zummo was employed as a “car salesman” at a dealership in Bayshore.
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Arrest Record: he had been arrested for grand larceny (five times), and criminally receiving stolen property (automobiles).
He had been convicted on grand larceny counts (but the penalty is undetermined).
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It seems that after his brothers murder, Joseph Zummo avoided any interaction with the underworld. No more is heard from him. And no dod was available.
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[thekiduknow]

Someone brought up that Rastelli was angry about Zummo's death, not knowing of Massino's involvement. Didn't Massino make his bones with Zummo?

[maxiestern11]

No cause NOBODY KNEW! You are right Kid!

[MichaelGiovanni]

Someone brought up that Rastelli was angry about Zummo's death, not knowing of Massino's involvement. Didn't Massino make his bones with Zummo?

Yes that is correct

[maxiestern11]

Joey Massino killed Zummo for his own reasons, without the knowledge or authorization of Rastelli or anybody else. So he didn’t “make his bones” because first of all nobody knew, second of all Rastelli would have been pissed. He liked Zummo. ...... it was a “cop a sneak” job!

[maxiestern11]

MICHAEL (MIKE ADAMS) ADAMO - born 1902. (no positive info if it was Sicily or America). By at least the early 1960’s he was living in North Massapequa on Long Island (212 N. Walnut St) and alternately (217 N. Chestnut St).

Note: [had a brother, Antonio (Tony Adams) - a Family soldier, and a cousin Frank Bonomo - also a family soldier]
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Activities: gambling and shylocking.
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Associates: Gaspare Di Gregorio, Paul Sciacca, Frank Mari, Michael Casale, Antonio Adamo, Frank Bonomo, Sereno Tartamella, Nicholas Di Stefano.

Note: [I noticed that many key family members chose to locate very near to each other on LI;
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Gaspare Di Gregorio - Babylon
Anthony Di Gregorio - Babylon
Paul Sciacca - Massapequa
Mike Adamo - N. Massapequa
Mike Casale - N. Massapequa
Nicholas (The Battler) Di Stefano - Babylon
James Genna - Massapequa
John (The Ambassador) Petrone - Massapequa ..... among others, all within a roughly 1-5 miles radius of one another]
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Arrest Record: only one arrest on a charge of homicide. No convictions.
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In 1968, Adamo was said by the Nassau Rackets Squad to have been behind the recent growth of private “social clubs” operated in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, where high-stakes card games and shylocking took place.
Adamo was considered the “hidden force” behind the operations, with capo Michael (Mike the Sailor) Casale actually overseeing the activities through various Family associates.

Note: [Adamo was a “shadow”, an “unknown”, almost his entire career in the mob....during the family conflict of the mid 1960’s, with the advent of Di Gregorio to the acting-boss seat, Adamo and Casale as his “right hand man”, began to branch out both on LI and in NYC, absorbing and expanding various gambling operations on behalf of the new family leadership.
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Then one day in early 1969, both Adamo and Frank Mari suddenly disappeared.
They had been picked up and chauffeured to a “top level meeting” by Adamo’s cousin Frank Bonomo of Valley Stream, who dropped them off at a pre-arranged location in the city and departed, leaving them to attend to what was supposed to be a family business “meet”...... they were never seen again!
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Adamo was a very shadowy, little known figure and longtime veteran of the Bonanno Family.
He served as a senior “Capo di decina” for many years, until the advent of the Bonanno War in the mid-1960’s.
(LE) said he played a major role in the family administration meetings that resulted in Gaspare Di Gregorio being selected as the first new boss of the family after Joe Bonanno was ousted from leadership.
By at least late 1968, Adamo had been elevated to either Consigliere or Underboss, with Frank Mari as “Acting Boss”. Authorities theorized this may have been the catalyst for their subsequent disappearance and presumed murder.

Note: [It was a theory by some in (LE), that Mari, in concert with Adamo, attempted to “seize” the family leadership from Sciacca and/or others in power within the family, without proper authorization from the ruling “commission” governing Cosa Nostra. This led to their being “set up” for the slaughter and permanent disappearance]
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Whatever the actual circumstances surrounding their disappearance were, “Mike Adams” Adamo was sixty-six years old at the time of his “Houdini act”! ........ it’s 2019..... “fifty” years later......the coffee pot on his stove is ice cold........ I don’t think he’s coming back........They usually don’t!
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[maxiestern11]

This is another one for you “thekiduknow”!.... you’re studying the Bonanno’s and the Banana war per se am I right?, so I thought Adamo would be an interesting “jump off point” for your studies. He ties into Mari and was a central character during the factional dispute.

Let me know what you think ok! This was the best I could provide on Adamo. Before the war there is very little publicized about him, he’s a hard guy to track.... the only other thing I can say (and forgot to include in the profile) was that he was repeatedly subpoenaed before LI and Brooklyn GJ’s probing war casualties.

[thekiduknow]

Cool breakdown of Adamo! I’ve seen discussions on here about his and Maris disappearance being orchestrated by the commission like you said, but haven’t been to find any files talking about it. If true, it would be interesting to learn more about their attempt to seize control of the family

[maxiestern11]

Cool breakdown of Adamo! I’ve seen discussions on here about his and Maris disappearance being orchestrated by the commission like you said, but haven’t been to find any files talking about it. If true, it would be interesting to learn more about their attempt to seize control of the family

Glad you liked the post!..... I have not seen ANY add’l info as to the causes of their disappearance.... I think that info probably went to the grave with them, and we’ll never really know!

I will try and post up a few more Bonanno war figures soon as I can compile them ok

[maxiestern11]

IGNAZIO (SONNY) CANNONE - born 1925 in New York City. Nephew of Bonanno powerhouse Natale (Joe Diamond) Evola. Related to Giuseppe (Joe) Barbara, Apalachin host and Family Boss. Evola seems to have migrated to upstate Endicott-Binghamton NY early on. He was a well liked young associate with good family connections who was formally inducted by the age of 30. Mob standing was clearly evidenced by his attendance of the infamous bbq in 1957 at Barbara’s Apalachin home. Suspected of being active in local gambling operations and illegal liquor traffic. Operated several local bars and restaurants;
Nat’s Place and The Plaza Lounge. After the debacle at Apalachin, with the extensive exposure received, Cannone chose to relocate back to the NYC area. Suspected of possibly having transferred his membership back under his uncle Natale Evola, who subsequently rose to Family Boss. His brother Frank, maintained a gambling operation in the Binghamton area, under the auspices of Anthony (Gov) Guarnieri and the Bufalino family. The familial ties going back to common Castellammrese heritage bound both Bonanno, Buffalo and Binghamton members regardless of formal family affiliations, allowing for cooperation and mutual endeavors. Associates of Cannone were listed as; Pasquale Turrigiano, Angelo Sciandra, N.Evola among many others. Minor arrest record for disorderly conduct and assault, resisting arrest, conspiracy to obstruct justice (for the Apalachin meeting for which he received 3 years incarceration - but was overturned on appeal). Unfortunately, the federal authorities if unable to jail him made sure to ruin him financially, revoking his liquor licenses for both bars). A move that was a factor in his relocation back to Brooklyn..... seems to have successfully kept a low profile, avoiding any additional trouble with the law in following years. He also resided in Florida at some point, commuting back and forth to NYS as needed. Suspected as a partner of brother Frank in gambling operations. He also was referred to as “Nat” in addition to “Sonny”. Side note: his father Diego was a suspected early member of the upstate family. So his connections ran pretty deep indeed, several family leaders and old family friends were members.

Note: I meant to say that "Cannone" migrated up to the Endicott-Binghamton area (not Evola)

[maxiestern11]

JAMES (JIMMY) GENNA - born 1916 in Brooklyn (Williamsburg section). Relocated to Queens, then moved to LI by the early 1950’s (1977 Cecelia Place, Seaford). Brother-in-law to Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella, Son-in-law of consigliere John Tartamella. Genna himself was an inducted soldier in the Bonanno Family. Active in card games, sports-bookmaking, fencing of stolen goods, counterfeiting, hijacking. He was the owner and operator of a Seaford meat market. He had arrests for operating a still, bookmaking (four times), assault, transporting counterfeit money, grand larceny, fraudulent checks (twice), criminal possession of stolen property. He was convicted of operating a still (6 months), bookmaking (4 times), attempted grand larceny (2.5-5 years suspended), assault (60 days). He was once arrested for assaulting a union dissident in Queens with a pipe which hospitalized the union foreman. Associates included: Tartamella, Nicholas Di Stefano, Michael Casale, Anthony and Gaspare Di Gregorio. Genna is believed to have died in 1997. No dod was available.

Note: [Jimmy ran a private social club, and daily card games, at a storefront along Merrick Road in Massapequa and later in Seaford from about 1968-thru at least the late 1970’s. He was a very nice, easy going guy. Low key and although not a wealthy guy, happy with what he had. A friend and card-game partner of Sal Polite - a local bookmaker and father of future Colombo member Frank (Frankie Wheels) Politi - although they sometimes spelt their surnames a bit differently, were father and son]

[maxiestern11]

ANGELO (LITTLE MOE) PRESINZANO - born 1908 on the Lower East Side, Manhattan. Frequented the “4th Ward” section of LES, particularly Catherine Street. A vicious and feared hoodlum, known as a strong-arm and killer. FBI #187717, NYCPD #B71432. Record starts 1927 for rape, homicide, narcotics violations, harboring a fugitive (Carmine Galante). Held ownership in several businesses at the Fulton Fish Market. Close associates include Galante (reputed to be a cousin), Angelo (Little Angie) Tuminaro, Frank Prisinzano (his brother) and Anthony (Tony) Lisi. Alleged to be a financier of narcotics deals, supplying several traffickers in the Lower Manhattan area. Presinzano was an intimate of his cousin Lilo Galante, and was considered one of Galante’s top capo’s during the 1970’s. In fact, Prisinzano was supposed to meet Galante for lunch the afternoon Lilo was assasinated. Little Moe just missing the carnage by showing up late for their meal. Prisinzano seems to have faded into retirement after Galante’s Murder. (he may have been shelved)...... no record of his death, although he is believed to have passed only several years after Galante.

Note: [operated and was a daily fixture for years at a private social club on Madison Street - a Bonanno hangout. Little Moe was a nasty guy, and not very well liked by many..... a hard guy to get close to!.... not that many wanted too! Lol]

[maxiestern11]

ANTHONY (TONY D) DI GREGORIO - born 1926 in Brooklyn. Son of an original founding member named Gaspare Di Gregorio - longtime Bonanno “capo di decina” and ultimately “Acting Boss” after Bonanno. Longtime resident of the Babylon area in Suffolk County.
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“Tony D” was an (inducted) soldier in the Bonanno Family. He was made young, probably by his mid-late 20’s-early 30’s, by his father and Joe Bonanno himself (as were several other sons of key members).

Never a “street guy” per se, he lived in his father’s “shadow”, before his death, and traveled on his family name thereafter. He was a friendly and well-liked member.

He listed his business as a “pressor” in his father’s Brooklyn dress factory.
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Mostly associated with the Long Island regime’s of the Family.
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Close associates included:
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Gaspare (his father) and Matteo (his uncle)
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Paul Sciacca - took leadership after Di Gregorio stepped down for health reasons
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Philip (Rusty) Rastelli - top Capo who would raise to Boss (Tony served under Rastelli in the late 1960’s)
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Vincent Asaro - served under Asaro in later years
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Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella - son of John Tartamella - consigliere - and himself a Family soldier
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James (Jimmy) Genna - another Family soldier
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In 1971, Di Gregorio was one of five Bonanno members and associates arrested and later indicted for operating a loan shark ring active in Queens and Long Island.

The shylock operation was headed by Rastelli, with Di Gregorio serving as the “overseer”. All were charged with usury and conspiracy.

Note: [no exact disposition was determined on this case. But I imagine they all copped out to lesser charges...... Tony was not know to have ever served a jail term]
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A story that went around (and I think Capeci reported on), was that some years back, Di Gregorio and several other members went to the hierarchy to complain about Asaro “abusing” them verbally and financially (robbing his men by demanding more than his fair share as capo). They were placed in another crew and Asaro was demoted for these infractions]
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Di Gregorio is still reported to be alive, and is presently over 93 years old!....... and obviously long retired!
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[maxiestern11]

Part #2 of the Anthony Di Gregorio profile:
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Tony lived for years in Bay Shore (1195 Brookdale Avenue), and in later years West Babylon. His dad originally resided in West Babylon after moving to LI from Ridgewood, Brooklyn.
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One of those arrested with Rastelli and Di Gregorio for shylocking was Joseph Lombardi, a convicted bookmaker and garbage-carting operator who happened to be a cousin to Di Gregorio.

Another was Frank Andosca, a family member and suspect in a Brooklyn mob murder during the late 1960’s.
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The loan shark operation was said by the Suffolk County D.A. to have lent money at 5-6% weekly rates (250-300% annually) to approximately 15-20 borrowers in the Nassau, Suffolk and Queens area at least several years. Rastelli was the alleged “bank” for the ring and “Tony D” was the main overseer and collector, with the assistance of the others.

Rastelli was first vying to ascend to the family throne in that era. It was front page news at that time, and the investigation to indict them took over two years to complete.

Note: [Tony was a very well-connected hood. Besides his father, uncle Matty and several cousins.... another uncle through marriage was Buffalo Boss Stefano Magaddino, and Magaddino cousins, who of course were Tony’s cousins as well - uncle Nino Magaddino, Peter Magaddino, Gaspare Magaddino, Vincent DeLuca, etc.... Tony also had grown up and held as lifelong friends, several sons of top members such as Sciacca and Tartamella]
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