Maxie’s Exclusive: GIUSEPPE PROFACI - BIO

[maxiestern11]

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I posted this article as a stand alone story because of the massive time and research involved. I felt Joseph Profaci’s biography and life story warranted this attention. Enjoy!
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The copying or reposting of this story is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Maxie.
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GIUSEPPE (JOE) PROFACI - born 1897 in Villabate, Sicily (Palermo province). aka: “The Old Man”, “The Olive Oil King”. Upon arrival to the U.S. (1921) he first lived in downtown Little Italy (on Elizabeth Street - a Sicilian stronghold), before making his way to Chicago. After a few years and a failed grocery business, he made his way back to NYC, eventually setting permanent roots down in Brooklyn (8863 15th Avenue).
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He also maintained a palatial 328-acre estate in Hightstown, New Jersey. Several of his children would eventually relocate there from Brooklyn permanently. He was also said to have a home on Miami Beach, Florida.
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He had three brothers; Salvatore, Frank and Andrew, who were also members, as well as sons, several nephews, cousins and in-laws, all of who would become involved in the Family business on some level.
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FBI # 362142-A, NYCPD # B-13328.
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Arguably one of the most business savvy and powerful Mafia members ever in the entire United States and an original founding member of the 1931 Mafia Commission.
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He was also an extremely successful businessman, who developed several major companies that cornered the market in various industries active to this very day!
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Note: [Profaci’s business acumen is often overlooked when writing about him. But I cannot think of another top mafioso who accomplished more in the upper-world of business than he. Legitimately his companies were worth untold millions by 1955. Today, their worth is almost incalculable!]
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He came from a family in Sicily who were already powers in their local cosca (called the Zubbio) and he was immediately recognized in this country as such. This background allowed him to rise to head his own Family with the original formation of Cosa Nostra in 1931. A role he would maintain for over thirty years until his untimely death in 1962.
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Note: [some say the original head of the group he would come to rule was Salvatore DiBella - father of future top Colombo figure Thomas DiBella]
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Activities: his family, although one of the smaller borgata’s (at that time approximately 150 strong), was knee-deep in all the typical rackets. The one exception was narcotics (specifically heroin).
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Bootlegging (alcohol stills)
Bookmaking
Policy (Brooklyn and Italian lottery)
Floating dice and card games
Shylocking (on a very large scale)
Extortion - protection racket
Truck hijacking
Fencing stolen goods
Cargo-pier theft
Smuggling rackets
Labor racketeering (unions)
Business infiltration (on a huge scale)
Credit-card rackets and frauds
Strong-arm tactics and murder
......... etc!
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The Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) listed him as being active but was never able to directly connect him to the heroin trade. Indeed, he allowed a small contingent or “cell” of his men (typically Sicilian nationals) to import-distribute but made sure to keep “off the grid” so as not to bring heat upon himself.
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In the mid-1950’s a top Villabate mafioso and boyhood friend named Antonio Cottone was a suspected supplier. By 1959, the FBN was able to intercept a crate of 90 fake waxed-oranges - whose centers had been hollowed out and stuffed with bags of heroin, each Sicilian “orange” holding multiple ounces of junk!
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The combined net weight of all those bags of heroin totaled 110 pounds or appx 50 kilograms of extremely pure Turkish heroin!
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Profaci Family territory originated in the Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, sections, always their stronghold and a trend that continues to this day. Also Gravesend, Coney Island, Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Flatbush, Greenpoint, Williamsburg and others areas of Brooklyn, lower Manhattan ..... and by the mid-1950’s they had expanded to Staten Island, Queens County and into Long Island, utilizing Sonny Franzese as their main point man and capo for those last two areas.
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The Profaci-Colombo Family also operated to a lesser extent in New Jersey, the Bronx and Westchester, Connecticut and South Florida where several members and key associates have lived.
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Legitimate interests included the entities below, many of which Joe Profaci was president of;
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Carmela Mia Packing Co.,
Santuzza Oil Co.,
Sunshine Edible Oil Co.,
Mamma-Mia Importing Co;
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(all of 1414 65th St., Brooklyn) -
all major suppliers of Italian-style foods and olive oils. Both as a manufacturer-canner and distributor. These firms became the largest importers of tomato paste in the United States, and one of the largest importers/distributors of olive oils from Italy. The famed names of Filippo Berio and Fratelli Berio Olive Oils that you see on your local supermarket shelves were Profaci firms. As years past, Sal, John and Dominick Profaci (Joe’s sons) would elevate these companies legitimately to heights Joe would be proud of!
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Colavita Olive Oil Co. - this popular brand is the newest incarnation of the Profaci family. 100% legitimate in 2019 and for decades before. All their brands are fully integrated into supermarkets throughout the country. Today, the Profaci Family (as lawyers, accountants and corporate executives) are among the most renowned and respected food executives in the nation..... and to think it all started with old man Profaci and “The Honored Society”....... the American dream for sure..... mafioso style!
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Roma Foods, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey; a massive operation that supplies several thousand pizzeria’s in over 25 states, was originally developed-expanded from Mamma Mia Imports - that his son-capo Salvatore Profaci would rule behind the scenes for decades. Sicilian born associate Michael Piancone was a junior partner.
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Note: [a key “lock” on operations was Roma’s exclusive contract with the Grande Cheese Co., of Wisconsin. A firm owned by Joe Bonanno himself. Anybody who knows the pizza business or even a more savvy consumer will know that Grande cheese is the #1 desired mozzarella in the marketplace for over sixty years. Their name alone literally can double or triple a distributors annual volume because of its creamy, smooth, subtle flavor. To be the “exclusive” distributor of this product, was nothing less than a “coup” in the pizza world!] ..... and still is to this day!
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Alpine Wines & Liquors Inc; one of the largest original wholesale liquor and wine supply houses in the NY-NJ area. (owned in conjunction with the Magliocco family). This company came into existence directly after prohibition, making perfect use of the trucks, alcohol vats and distilling equipment Profaci first utilized as a bootlegger back in the 1920’s.
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Note: [this firm was managed for years by Vincenzo (Jimmy Mele) Melia, a Family soldier and father of future capo Frank Melia. Partners were Antonio Magliocco, brother Joe and Profaci.
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Peerless Importers Inc; another major firm and alter-ego of Alpine. These twin wholesale firms, and several other named companies control the majority of alcohol sales throughout New York City to this day! They supply bars, nightclubs, restaurants, retail liquor stores, caterers, etc. The Magliocco brothers and Profaci were partners.

Note: [they also operate in several other states under assumed names]
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Arrow Linen Supply Co; (Prospect Ave., Brooklyn) to the present day, the largest independent laundry linen-supply in the NY-NJ metro area; table clothes, napkins, etc. (a major Colombo Family asset). They are the dominant supplier above all others. Originally operated by Ambrose, the capo brother of Joe Magliocco. Today it’s run by Ambrose’s son (Johnny Arrow) and grandsons.
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United Uniform Corp., of 1578 86th Street, Brooklyn., a uniform supplier to restaurants, butcher shops and other type businesses.
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Real Estate; said to have extensive property holdings in NY, NJ and Florida
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Newburg Coat Co., a large garment factory, as well as several other dress firms throughout the tristate area. Garment operations were overseen by capo Salvatore Profaci, Joe’s brother.
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Jukeboxes-Vending machines; although not as big as Runyon Sales (Jerry Catena’s company), Profaci - through several key soldiers ran jukeboxes, cigarette machines and pinballs to area businesses
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As you can see from the companies I’ve listed above; from prohibition forward, Profaci and Magliocco positioned themselves to capitalize on supplying restaurants, bars and nightclubs with virtually all their needs. From the foods, liquors, table clothes, jukeboxes, etc...... Profaci and company was like “one stop shopping”!
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Absolutely genius in its design and “execution” ..... pardon my pun!
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Joe Profaci was always a powerhouse. I’m not sure why he was so revered, but he was! He and his troops were at the center of mafia operations in this city for many decades....and pivotal across the country!
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And although a small Family, it boasted some of the most notorious and dangerous mafiosi in the city;
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Giuseppe (Joe Malyoke) Magliocco; Profaci’s brother-in-law, righthand man and underboss for thirty years. A top mafioso in his own right.
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Salvatore (Sal) Profaci Sr.; his brother and closest advisor, the “de facto” consigliere for years until his untimely death in a freak boat explosion in 1954. Reportedly a well liked mafioso.
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Cassandro (Tony the Chief) Bonasera; one of that era’s most dangerous mafioso in Brooklyn - top notorious torpedo and capo
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John (Johnny Bath Beach) Oddo; Tony the Chief’s partner in crime, top capo and enforcer
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Salvatore (Sally the Sheik) Mussachio; a top Family capo/killer, related by marriage to Magliocco and Profaci, served for a time as consigliere
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Sebastiano (Buster) Aloi; one of their most important, highly respected capo’s for decades
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Enrico (Harry) Fontana; highly respected key capo, policy boss, South Brooklyn power
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Salvatore (Sammy) Badalamenti; little known capo - sometimes mistaken as a Genovese figure, garment power
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Frank (Frankie Shots) Abbatemarco; powerful capo, brother of an original Brooklyn power, top policy racketeer and father to (Abby Shots), his murder was a pivotal event to later Gallo-Profaci warfare
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Calogero (Charlie the Sidge) Lo Cicero; onetime Profaci consigliere, devious schemer later killed for his duplicity..... a “cafone”!
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Bartolomeo (Bart) Ferrigno; brother of the infamous Steve Ferrigno of Castellammarese War fame, low key mafioso, suspected heroin importer
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And an up and coming younger generation of equally notorious hoods;
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Carmine (The Snake) Persico; a dangerous torpedo/enforcer under Profaci - his history is legendary
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John (Sonny) Franzese; at 102 years old another Family legend, one of the most capable and dependable men of Joe’s coterie, would rise to Underboss
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Salvatore (Sally D) D’Ambrosio and his twin brother Alphonse (Funzi D); a dangerous duo who were among the most deadly hoods in New York City
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Joseph (Joe Jelly) Giorelli; a famed torpedo, well-liked soldier who fell afoul of Profaci...... I often wonder about the correct spelling of his last name - if there is any relation to (Tommy Shots) Gioeli ?? ..... I have never seen a definite correct-matched up spelling.
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Salvatore (Sally Pro) Profaci; his son who Joe inducted as a very young man. Sally is one man where nepotism definitely DID NOT apply! He is said to have been an extremely savvy mafioso - his father had taught him very well - Sal was a very well “groomed”, well respected “capo di decina” who could have easily steered the Colombo Family ship had he ascended to the throne!

But as a millionaire many times over, chose to maintain himself, and his vast businesses in a surreptitious manner as best he could. With the name Profaci that was a herculean
task!
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Nicholas (Jiggs) Forlano; top capo, he and partner Ruby Stein were known as the #1 loan-sharks in the city, handling the pooled resources of all five families which at that time were said to be $5-Million “on the street” any given day.
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The notorious Gallo brothers;
Joseph (Joe the Blond), Larry and their younger sibling Albert (Kid Blast)...... need I say more?
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Additionally, he was an intimate of virtually every ranking underworld power in this country including;
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Salvatore Maranzano
Joseph Bonanno
Giuseppe Masseria
Salvatore Lucania
Francesco Castiglia
Giuseppe Doto
Vito Genovese
Gaetano Reina
Gaetano Gagliano
Gaetano Lucchese
Vincent Mangano
Albert Anastasia
Carlo Gambino
Raymond Patriarca (New England)
William Tocco (Detroit)
Joseph Zerilli (Detroit)
Joseph Cerritto (California)
Jack Dragna (Los Angelos)
Santo Trafficante Sr (Tampa)
Nicolo Impastato (Kansas City
Nicholas Delmore (New Jersey)

........ and powers in Sicily as well;
Antonio Cottone and his brothers, who would die during internecine gang warfare in Villabate.

....... Profaci was interrelated through marriage or blood to the Detroit, Bonanno and Cerritto Families, and represented Patriarca on the commission as well.
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He had an arrest record in this country and Italy that included;
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...... in the USA:
possessing a gun
suspicion of murder
income-tax evasion
conspiracy to obstruct justice
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...... and back in Sicily:
violation of domicile (burglary)
horse theft
fraud
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jailed in Palermo for one year as a young man. Never jailed in America.
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But over the years, starting in the early 1950’s Joe would endure tremendous LE exposure and be indicted several times;
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In 1953, the federal IRS sued Profaci for over $1.5 million in unpaid income taxes. Profaci fought them in court and by the time of his death, those taxes were still unpaid - fully nine years later.
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Then in 1954, the Justice Department moved to revoke Profaci's citizenship, claiming that when he entered the United States in 1921, Profaci had lied to immigration officials about having no previous arrest record in Italy. By 1960, the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed Profaci's deportation order, allowing him to remain in this country.
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With the Apalachin Mob Summit debacle of 1957, Joseph Profaci would face much more bad publicity and legal problems. He and the other Mafia bbq attendees were all indicted and convicted on obstruction of justice counts. All convictions would eventually be reversed on appeal, but not before the Profaci name would be dragged through the mud!
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Subsequently in 1963, with the well publicized Valachi Hearings, the Profaci name would again be resurrected as a household word. And although he had just died, the Giuseppe Profaci/Magliocco Family garnered much attention.
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Profaci was a devout Catholic who made generous cash donations to the church and Catholic charities. A member of the Knights of Columbus and other philanthropies, Profaci would often invite priests to his Brooklyn home and New Jersey estate as dinner guests and celebrate Mass in a private chapel he had specially designed in his homes.
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In the early 1950’s, a thief stole a valuable crown of jewels from Profaci’s beloved parish - Regina Pacis R.C. Church on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Embarrassed and angered that anyone would dare desecrate the church in this manner, he ordered his troops to find the thief and recover the jewels (valued at $100,000.)
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Within several weeks the crown of jewels was returned intact to his parish...... the same could not be said for the thief Ralph “Bucky” Ammino (38), a small-time hoodlum from the area.
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Ammino was found in the gutter, reportedly badly beaten (a buckwheats killing) shot and strangled to death with a set of rosary beads wrapped around his throat!
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Profaci conducted his whole life as a smart, savvy, shrewd, calculating mafioso of the first order! He forged strong alliances early on in his career with Vincent Mangano and Joe Bonanno - two of five NY Family heads and the Detroit bosses Joe Zerilli and Black Bill Tocco. They, together with the additional key friendships of Trafficante members and Cerritto members (both of who’s borgata’s were blood tied to Profaci’s) formed a nucleus second to none in the underworld for over thirty years. With his strong alliance to the New England crew, Joe Profaci, at one time, was possibly the single richest and most powerful Family Boss in the United States!
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Whether it was the 1928 Commission meeting at the Hotel Statler in Cleveland, Ohio (even before the formal formation of Cosa Nostra)
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Or the infamous 1957 “Apalachin Summit” meeting of over 100 of the top mafiosi across the country in upstate New York, Joe Profaci was always a pivotal player in the underworld politics of the day!
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Joseph Profaci died in 1962 of cancer. He was 64 years old!
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His death was during high tensions of the Gallo-Profaci War. And as his underboss, Joe Magliocco automatically inherited the leadership and the problems of gang-warfare within his ranks.
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Shortly thereafter, he elevated both Joe Colombo and Sonny Franzese to caporegime status trying to bring stability to the rank and file. And for awhile it seemed to be working.
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Then before anybody knew, Magliocco stepped down, Colombo was elevated to Boss, with Franzese rising to Underboss. Of course there was much more than meets the eye that happened.
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We’ve all heard the stories of how Magliocco ordered Colombo to assassinate Gambino and Lucchese. Allegedly working in tandem and at the behest of Joe Bonanno so as to takeover those Families and the New York mob.
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And how Colombo betrayed them to Carlo Gambino thus earning Carlo’s undying gratitude, with Colombo later being installed as Boss as his reward.
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Somehow those stories never rang true to me and many others who follow OC. Nonetheless, Magliocco was deposed from leadership, dying under mysterious circumstances within the year.
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And I dare say and venture a guess that had Profaci lived through the 1960’s, the underworld may not have seen the power plays that it did, and the subsequent Bonanno War. With Profaci and his troops in his corner, I doubt anybody would have been bold enough to “move” on Bonanno and attempt to usurp his position. Even Magaddino would have been wary. And with Profaci’s backing, Zerilli and Tocco in Detroit would have been more apt to “stand” with them in unison, thereby stabilizing what became a very unstable Cosa Nostra.
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We see how the early death of Profaci led to a ripple effect in the Mafia leading to the disruption of many mafiosi and Families. After the death of Joe Profaci, the Colombo Family as a whole was never the same. Magliocco didn’t have the “stuff” to lead!
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His opponents on the commission shrewdly plotted against he and Bonanno, voted both their eventual expulsions, installed the next leader, Joe Colombo, who although admittedly a very charismatic boss was little more than Carlo Gambino’s puppet.
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And also made sure to install a succession of weak-sisters at the helm of the Bonanno crew.
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Allowed the Gallo brothers to run wild thus weakening that Family. And “raided” previously held Colombo rackets and assets. (and Bonanno operations as well)
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That during Magliocco’s tenure, used his weakness to separate the Bonanno-Profaci axis, again helping set the stage for what was to come!
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That of course, being the split in loyalties within the Bonanno troops...... or “Banana-Split” as the daily papers liked to refer to it as. What had been a combined two-Family cohesive membership of possibly upwards of 350 “good fellows” and maybe another 1,500 plus “associates” became an “Mafiosi Mess”!
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This master plan so to speak, allowed Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino and his in-law Tommy Lucchese to gobble up what the two Joe’s had built over thirty years!
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........An underworld plot worthy of Niccolo’ Machiavelli himself!
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Note: [many mafioso dad’s encourage their young sons to read “The Prince” - as a precursor lesson to mob life and to teach the treachery of man and the pitfalls of power]
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Giuseppe “The Olive Oil King” Profaci died at the relatively young age of 64, having suffered from liver cancer, in 1962. He is buried in a huge marble and stone mausoleum at Saint John’s Cemetery in Queens.
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He was arguably one of the most powerful and influential mafioso to ever step foot in this country!
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His legacy lives on in the memory of his children, grandchildren and extended family, who today are all solid upstanding citizens, having all received top college educations and gone on to achieve great things in life!
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Very far removed from the rackets and life as Don Giuseppe Profaci knew it!
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[Villain]

Again good stuff Maxie and thanks

I would also like to add that on thanksgiving day in 1958, Pete Licavoli's ranch in Phoenix AZ, was allegedly used for a meeting between Joe Profaci, Joe Bonanno, Joe Magliocco and Tony ”Joe B” Accardo. Federal agents at the time dubbed the situation as the meeting of the “Four Joes”.

[CabriniGreen]

Great Write UP!!! VERY UNDERRATED MAFIOSI......

I'd also like to add, he personally helped mediate the end to the Greco Family war in Sicily, at a time when they were possibly THE strongest clan IN Sicily.......

[CabriniGreen]

I also dont think Gambino and Luchesse " Win", if Profaci doesnt die when he did....

I really believe the " Conservative" faction of the Commision was actually in charge, despite Costellos influence....

[maloots]

Roma Food Enterprises of Piscataway NJ was run and operated by Michael Piancone's brother Louis Piancone. Louis is now retired and lives in South Florida. Michael is now in California. During the late '60's and early '70's Michael had a chain of pizzerias in the New Jersey and surrounding area called Piancone's Pizza Palace.

[bronx]

pizza connection guy..piancone

[thekiduknow]

Great write up Maxie! While I don't know much about the Gallo uprising, I agree that if Profaci had lived the Bonanno war/split most likely would not have happened.

Magliocco didn't have the strength, nor smarts, to out do Gambino and Luchese. Thomas Eboli was recored on a wire talking about the situation, and from what he says it sounds like when Magliocco went before the Commission to answer the charges brought up by Colombo(or whoever told them about the attempted murder plot), he denied Bonanno had anything to do with it. When Eboli brings this up to Gambino and Luchese, Gambino merely shrugs and moves on to other Commission business.

Whether this is true or not, I can not say, but if Profaci was alive, I don't believe they would have made such a move, or at least they wouldn't have missed.

[maxiestern11]

I agree kid. Profaci had the knowledge, wits and respect that no one would have openly challenged him or Magliocco (his relative and #2).... and with him backing Bonanno, the rest of the commission would have shit!
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But with his demise, they decided to take a shot and usurp Magliocco and Bonanno. Which they basically accomplished!
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...... you just gave me a thought! The Gallo-Profaci War! I wonder if the forum would be interested in my researching and printing the whole story on that?
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I’m very familiar with the circumstances. It may be worth a future post. We’ll see how the feedback is.
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Even a separate story line about Bonanno’s Grande Cheese Co., ...... an interesting tale in its own right

[Etna]

Old man Profaci knew how to split his enemies.

[maxiestern11]

Old man Profaci knew how to split his enemies.

Lol he sure did!

[z23]

Thanks Maxie. Another great job as always.

[maxiestern11]

Thanks Maxie. Another great job as always.

[maxiestern11]

I also dont think Gambino and Luchesse " Win", if Profaci doesnt die when he did....

I really believe the " Conservative" faction of the Commision was actually in charge, despite Costellos influence....

Agreed....def!

[Villain]

Btw...I also think that after receiving the required feedback in the Mafia forum, all of your projects should be later moved to the articles section since in time, all the work gets "lost"...and also your name's color should be orange and join the murder Ink clique....just saying

[maxiestern11]

Btw...I also think that after receiving the required feedback in the Mafia forum, all of your projects should be later moved to the articles section since in time, all the work gets "lost"...and also your name's color should be orange and join the murder Ink clique....just saying

Villain, thank you for that advice and direction. (and your support)!
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As I’ve stated on the forum several times before, although I can write a pretty decent article, I’m not computer savvy enough to be able to upload pictures, attach links to newspaper articles I reference, or know enough about changing the color of my name or linking to the murder ink clique. Would you or someone else be nice enough to help direct me in this regard? I’d be forever grateful for your help! ...... and as Don Corleone stated will be “forever” in your debt!