joe massino

[maxiestern11]

I’m still confused by the Galante stuff. Was he hit because he illegitimately appointed himself boss? Or because he was getting too big for his britches when it came to the heroin?

The way I understand it Galante got out of prison and was pissed off about a lot of things. He was angry he spent 12 years in the can. He was angry he was set up. He was angry how his former boss was forced to retire. He was angry he was not made boss, because as Bonanno's underboss he felt entitled to the title. He was angry he wasn't dominating the drug trade as he wanted to. He was angry he wasn't getting the respect he felt he deserved. So he decided to go all in. The moment he began causing more trouble than he was worth, he was killed. The way I see it he was a self-appointed street boss, who had enough support from Bonanno members to exercise control over the family's operations, while Rastelli was away and they sort of went along with it for a time. Since the internal war was still fresh in everybody's mind and Galante was doing not that bad of a job in running the family's day-to-day operations.

I think all that’s true what you’ve just lay’d out...... and in the end, various bosses and family powers chose to collaborate on his demise...... end of story!

[Chaps]

Sal Vitale testified that Carmine Galante was never the boss. He only held the rank of capo. But (personal opinion here) he “appointed” himself boss as he believed he had it coming. Considering the clusterfuck that was the Bonanno Family at the time it couldn’t have been too hard. In fact, quite a few members including Nicky Glasses and Cannone went along with the charade.

[Rocco]

Massino lives in NC by one of his daughters from what I have heard. I believe his wife still lives in that house in Howard Beach.

Are he and his wife divorced? I was just going to ask if he has been located or has surfaced anywhere?

From what I heard was that once he was released he was going to live close to one of his daughters in NC. His wife as far as I know still lives in Howard Beach. Are he and his wife together? Maybe? I'm sure like most of these guys...they have a unique marriage.

[bronx]

everyone maybe in the sunshine state, maybe

[Super]

Sal Vitale testified that Carmine Galante was never the boss. He only held the rank of capo. But (personal opinion here) he “appointed” himself boss as he believed he had it coming. Considering the clusterfuck that was the Bonanno Family at the time it couldn’t have been too hard. In fact, quite a few members including Nicky Glasses and Cannone went along with the charade.

Don't think Sal was even made when carmine got it. Who was Gona tell carmine he wasn't boss who would of told goti to he wasn't boss same but different. I stick by they should never of killed carmine he was putting bonannos back on the map .

[Frank]

What's missing in the Galante boss or not boss is who was the sanctioned acting boss. If not Galante as acting boss, than who????????

[eboli]

What's missing in the Galante boss or not boss is who was the sanctioned acting boss. If not Galante as acting boss, than who????????

While Rastelli was in prison Galante was the acting boss sanctioned or not. I haven't seen anything confirming he was official acting boss and I haven't seen anything confirming there was another acting boss at the time, so I assume he was the de facto acting boss. When he was pinched on parole violation in 1978 the family set up a ruling panel until he got out in 79.

[Frank]

What's missing in the Galante boss or not boss is who was the sanctioned acting boss. If not Galante as acting boss, than who????????

While Rastelli was in prison Galante was the acting boss sanctioned or not. I haven't seen anything confirming he was official acting boss and I haven't seen anything confirming there was another acting boss at the time, so I assume he was the de facto acting boss. When he was pinched on parole violation in 1978 the family set up a ruling panel until he got out in 79.

With the family setting up a ruling panel till he gets out, and other things like him attending Commission meetings and him making new members, to me he was the acting boss.

[Chaps]

Sal Vitale testified that Carmine Galante was never the boss. He only held the rank of capo. But (personal opinion here) he “appointed” himself boss as he believed he had it coming. Considering the clusterfuck that was the Bonanno Family at the time it couldn’t have been too hard. In fact, quite a few members including Nicky Glasses and Cannone went along with the charade.

[maxiestern11]

Lilo Galante was one of a kind!..... almost “iconic”, remember he was a contemporary of Vito Genovese, John Ormento and the like. Very feared, very respected!
-
When he made parole, it was like the “second coming”!
-
Friends cheered, Foes shit! .... he basically put the Bonanno crew back on the map!
-
The only problem was, he was a screwball, hard headed and a “stone cold killer”! ..... a lot of guys have done “work”, but THIS GUY was a “worker and a half”!
-
Fearless! ..... to the point of being stupid and thinking he’s the only tough guy in town.
-
...... the rest is mob history!

[SonnyBlackstein]

The cemetery’s full of tough guys.

[Frank]

Sal Vitale testified that Carmine Galante was never the boss. He only held the rank of capo. But (personal opinion here) he “appointed” himself boss as he believed he had it coming. Considering the clusterfuck that was the Bonanno Family at the time it couldn’t have been too hard. In fact, quite a few members including Nicky Glasses and Cannone went along with the charade.

Yes I agree to a certain point, but how is what Cammarano Jr just did any different. Or is Jr not going to be listed as acting boss in future charts?

[maxiestern11]

The cemetery’s full of tough guys.

That’s for sure

[thekiduknow]

The Sicilians obviously went along with it, and probably benefitted from his death. I imagine he was draining them financially pretty good from junk sales, etc.
-
But it would always be the NYC commission that voted his death; Gambino, Genovese, Colombo, etc.... even his Bonanno hierarchy would have to approve or there’d be a war afterwards..... but there was NO war! Which only confirms that it was a sanctioned hit!

[/quote]

Do you know if Phil Lucky and the other 2 capos were Galante loyalists Maxi? I know they were killed a few years later, but I wonder if they tried to take over from Rastelli in response to the Galante hit, or if they just saw an opportunity?

The Bonannos and their power struggles! I find it all so interesting

[maxiestern11]

What's missing in the Galante boss or not boss is who was the sanctioned acting boss. If not Galante as acting boss, than who????????

The Sicilians obviously went along with it, and probably benefitted from his death. I imagine he was draining them financially pretty good from junk sales, etc.
-
But it would always be the NYC commission that voted his death; Gambino, Genovese, Colombo, etc.... even his Bonanno hierarchy would have to approve or there’d be a war afterwards..... but there was NO war! Which only confirms that it was a sanctioned hit!

Do you know if Phil Lucky and the other 2 capos were Galante loyalists Maxi? I know they were killed a few years later, but I wonder if they tried to take over from Rastelli in response to the Galante hit, or if they just saw an opportunity?

The Bonannos and their power struggles! I find it all so interesting
[/quote]

Kid, I’m sorry. I really don’t know where their loyalties were. If I had to toss the dice I’d say Sonny Red Indelicato being a Mulberry st guy would be near Lilo. But his son Bruno was one of the shooters of Lilo you know? .... so who knows! These alignments and loyalties shift like the sand often times with these guys!