Revisiting Detroit (genealogy)

[scott22]

Tony Tocco and Jack Tocco were not "made" together. Tony got his button three years after Jack.

Jack Tocco and Tony Zerilli were made together in 1949. Tony Tocco and Billy Giacalone came in together in 1952. Tony Jack was made in 1947 with Vince Meli. Dom "Detroit Fats" Corrado was made in 1950.

I think Tony the Bull Corrado was in the '52 ceremony or possibly a '54 or '55 induction (i will check my FBI-MSP-DPD record archives). I know he had his button by '57 when him and Tony Jack escorted Joe Zerilli to the ill-fated Apalachin mafia don conference.

SMB

[Angelo Santino]

Tony Tocco and Jack Tocco were not "made" together. Tony got his button three years after Jack.

Jack Tocco and Tony Zerilli were made together in 1949. Tony Tocco and Billy Giacalone came in together in 1952. Tony Jack was made in 1947 with Vince Meli. Dom "Detroit Fats" Corrado was made in 1950.

I think Tony the Bull Corrado was in the '52 ceremony or possibly a '54 or '55 induction (i will check my FBI-MSP-DPD record archives). I know he had his button by '57 when him and Tony Jack escorted Joe Zerilli to the ill-fated Apalachin mafia don conference.

SMB

Ok, thanks for the correction and further insight.

[PolackTony]

For Joe Massei, I thought we found his father's side came from Terrasini but would have to check.

I know that Eline stated that Daniel Massei was from Terrasini on one of the other Detroit threads. I'd like to see the source on that. Not that it's impossible -- I've seen a couple of Masseis documented for Termini, for example, but not Terrasini/Cinisi -- but it is not at all a common surname anywhere in Sicily. Maybe the spelling got changed from something else at some point, who knows. The fact that Daniel Massei remarried a woman who was probably from Toscana, where the Massei surname is very much concentrated, could be a clue or could just be a coincidence.

Worth noting again that Massei seems to have been the only half-Ital made by Detroit. The only half-Ital 100% confirmed as made by Chicago was Jimmy Marcello. In both cases, these guys had Irish mothers but their fathers remarried Italian women when they were still kids, which could be relevant to them getting made later if people generally believed that their stepmothers were their actual mothers.

I've seen it stated that Joe Massei's nephew Joseph Cosentino may have been a Detroit member. I have Joseph Gabriel Cosentino as born in 1917 in Detroit to Nicola Cosentino of Cerda, Palermo province, and Angeline Massei, who was born in Lima, OH, as noted above.

[Angelo Santino]

Does anyone know what Salvatore Catalanotto's occupation was? I can't find him in the census and his 1918 WW1 Draft card said he worked labor at the ford moto company, alot can change in 12 years up until he died.

Salvatore Catalanotto
@ Sam Catalanotte
DOB-DOD 4/14/1894 - 2/14/1930
POB Alcamo
Resided: 808 Rivard Blvd, Grosse Pointe, MI
F: Liborio Catalanotto Alcamo
M: Vincenza Giacalone Alcamo
W: Vincenza Perrone

And Antiliar, do you know when Ignazio Caruso died? I lose him after 1930.

Ignazio Caruso
DOB 10/3/1886
POB Salemi
Resided 418 Fort St, East Detroit, MI
F: Filippo Caruso Salemi
M: Giroloma Diago Salemi
W: Rosa Capizzo
Occupation: Teamster

[Angelo Santino]

Some interesting things:

LaMare was a Detroit member by 1922:

4/4/1922 At 11:15AM James Coleman, prohibition Enforcement Agent, called at the office with Detectives Cascadden and Mitchell, turning over SAM MORCERI who they alleged to had in his position 60 quarts of illicit whiskey boarding couterfeit strip stamps. On making a superficial investigation of this matter. I find that this contraband was obtained illegally without a search warrant and, further, that it would be a hard matter to prove that it was in the prisoner's possession. Taking the case up with US Attorney and Comm, it was decided to release MORCERI in the custody of CHESTER LAMARE, an italian leader here. This I did and if on further investigation we find and we can connect him with violation of the ctfting laws in any way, this charge will be placed against him, otherwise he will be returned to the Prohibition Department for Prosecution

Ignazio Caruso was a boss after Sam Giannola was killed but before Catalanotte or Milazzo. The descrepancy lies with John Vitale who was said to have been rappresentante from 1919-1921. Vitale was murdered on 9-29-21 andd the information on Caruso surfaced 9 months later. One could argue news of a new boss would filter out.

6/26/1922 Through our investigation, we find that IGNAZIO CARUSO is known as the King of the remaining members of the SAM GIANNOLA Italian faction, who were in power in this city until the latter was murdered along with his brother about 3 years ago. Shortly after GIANNOLA was killed, IGNAZIO CARUSO re-organized the remaining members of the gang and his store is known as their hangout. As far as we are able to ascertain, the membership of this gang numbers close to 50 persons.

Catalanotte and Caruso connected:

6/29/1922 SS tails IGNAZIO CARUSO who leaves his store, goes to Eastern Market, he returned to this store.. TONY LAFATA 2345 Fort Street, East, remained in his house. The 1922 Touring Car with license 512-353 drive up to Caruso's store and remained there for 15 minis. The license came back SAM CATALANOTTE, 1544 ST Aubin St. SS called the Police ID Bureau but were unable to obtain any record of this man.

Catalanotte formerly arrested in John Vitale's store:

7/1/1922 Officer Haas called at the office and advised that he had ben informed my Lt Carmody of the Police ID Bureau that SALVATORE CANTALANOTTE, AKA SAM CATALONA AKA CANOLINIA, the Suspect mentioned in Agent Brown's report on June 29, was arrested on Feb 5, 1919 on a charge of assault with intent to kill and murder. he was taken into custody at the store of JOHN VITALI, a notorious Italian fuedist, in Ford City, Mich and when officers approached, opened fire on them with 9 other Italians, shooting Joe Berman, Deputy Sheriff in the leg. His description is 28, 140 lbs, 5'7'' tall, slim build, dark comp, dark brown hair, slight crease in chin. His police No is 11043.

Joe Zerilli formerly connected to Sam Giannola.

JOE ZERILLO, 23 years of age, 135 lbs, 5'3'', slim build, dark comp, black hair, round chin, occupation: chauffeur, was arrested on suspicion in Grand Citcus Park, this city on Ap 21, 1919, while driving Hudson car belonging to SAM GIANNOLA, notorious Italian feudist leader, now deceased

Lamare is an informant for the SS and they refer to the group he's a part of and a leader of as "the Lamare gang" which mentions Ignazio Caruso and Tony Lafata and directly states that James Caruso, a cousin of Ignazio, is a member. One could take this as Ignazio Caruso having his own Mafia Gang and his cousin was a member of the Lamare Mafia Gang but it's more likely it was all one affilition divided into decine with at least Chester Lamare and Joe Tocco being identified as what appears to be captains.

7/12/1922 I was engaged with Agent Brown and Officer Haas in going over the evidence secured in the CARUSO et al. case. So far, we are able to have IGNAZIO CARUSO, TONY LAFATA and Suspect No 1 identified as the passes of ctft 10 Ozone Park Notes. For the last few days these notes have ceased breaking. The information formerly given me by INFORMANT LAMARE, as duly reported, that Italian suspects from NY had sold 1000 or possibly 2000 worth of the notes in this city has been verified, as since that time we have received nearly 2000 worth of these notes. Our case against the three men above mentioned, I think is complete, taking into consideration their past performance, but our information is that JAMES CARUSO, cousin of IGNAZIO CARUSO, in now in NY, also a number of the LaMar gang. (NOTE: "ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LAMARE GANG") am I am working on the theory that there might be a possible chance of them returning iwht more ctft. The racing season has also started in Canada and as this gang indulges in that sport, I think it advisable to cover same for a few daysfor further possible evidence. I would like to get as much evidence as possible against these men, as on numerous occasions the Police have picked them up for robberies, stick ups and other felonies but somehow or other, had never been able to convict them.

Detroit, Windsor and Chicago connected.

10/26/1927 Informant stated that they desired to have a spaghetti dinner at Windsor, Ontario at the home of JACK PALMIERI, and that among those present would be certain Italian underworld characters from Chicago to Detroit, including one CHESTER LA MARE, to make possible ID.

Joe Tocco, the leader of the Italians in Wyandotte (capodecina?). So in the twenties, the SS had two highly placed members providing them information. They weren't providing organizational information as much as they were giving up people who weren't members and whose interests ran counter to theirs. Very interesting.

6/3/1927 Informant JOE TOCCO assures me that he is an innocent victim. I had no hesitancy in accepting this info as authentic. As previously mentioned, JOE TOCCO is the leader of the Italians in Wyandotte, MI and I requested he take a check-up of the Wyandotte Italians for the purpose of locating people passing ctft 20 gold certs which first appeared in thi s district in summer 1925. TOCCO assured me that he would exert every effort in locating who was passing note and report them.

[Angelo Santino]

Could someone help me with Scarface Joe Bommarito?

DOB: 5/26/1903
POB: St Louis
F: Giuseppe Bommarito
M: Lina

(What was his mother's surname?)

[Angelo Santino]

There was an Anthony Corrado who was a member in 1963, was that The Bull? Anyone know his dob or dod or any other identifiers?

[PolackTony]

Could someone help me with Scarface Joe Bommarito?

DOB: 5/26/1903
POB: St Louis
F: Giuseppe Bommarito
M: Lina

(What was his mother's surname?)

Too many Bommaritos, lol.

I tried looking into potential matches for "Lina" in STL (names like Angela/Angelina, Nicolina, Antonina) but didn't find a smoking gun. There are women named Angelina and Antonina (commonly anglicized as "elan", of course) who married Bommarito men, but none seem like a sure fit. I'd need to know more about Scarface Joe's biography. When did he arrive in Detroit, did his parents move there as well?

If his parents did move to Detroit, then his mother could've been Nicolina Pellerito, born in Terrasini (not sure when). She was married to a Giuseppe Bommarito, born 1872 in Terrasini, who died in Detroit in 1932. The informant on Giuseppe's death record was Onofrio Bommarito (presumably a son, as Giuseppe's father was also Onofrio). In 1950, an Onofrio Bommarito born 1890 in Italy died in Detroit and listed his parents as Giuseppe Bommarito and Nicolina D'Anna (looks like this guy's wife was named D'Anna, so maybe the name was confused for his mother's surname on the death record. I've actually seen that happen in another case), so it's probably the same guy. In 1922, a Salvatore Bommarito, born 1896 in Italy, married Rose LoCricchio in Detroit; his parents were listed as Joseph Bommarito and Nicolina Pellerito. There were both D'Annas and Pelleritos in STL from Terrasini married to Bommaritos, but no evidence that this particular couple has previously lived in STL.

Anyone know if Scarface Joe had older brothers named Onofrio and Salvatore?

[Antiliar]

And Antiliar, do you know when Ignazio Caruso died? I lose him after 1930.

Ignazio Caruso
DOB 10/3/1886
POB Salemi
Resided 418 Fort St, East Detroit, MI
F: Filippo Caruso Salemi
M: Giroloma Diago Salemi
W: Rosa Capizzo
Occupation: Teamster

Nov 19, 1942, in Detroit

[PolackTony]

There was an Anthony Corrado who was a member in 1963, was that The Bull? Anyone know his dob or dod or any other identifiers?

If he was Tony the Bull Corrado, then he was born 1935/03/27 in Michigan to Pietro Corrado and Pietrina Zerrilli (as we already know, both from Terrasini). Scott wrote before that Tony the Bull was most likely made in a 1955 ceremony, while his brother Dominic Peter "Fats" Corrado (born 1930/04/19) was made in 1951. Not sure that there was more than one Anthony Corrado as a member in 1963. Dominic died 1985/06/26 in Macomb, MI, while Tony died 2002/10/31 in Clinton Twshp, Macomb County, MI.

[Antiliar]

Could someone help me with Scarface Joe Bommarito?

DOB: 5/26/1903
POB: St Louis
F: Giuseppe Bommarito
M: Lina

(What was his mother's surname?)

Too many Bommaritos, lol.

I tried looking into potential matches for "Lina" in STL (names like Angela/Angelina, Nicolina, Antonina) but didn't find a smoking gun. There are women named Angelina and Antonina (commonly anglicized as "elan", of course) who married Bommarito men, but none seem like a sure fit. I'd need to know more about Scarface Joe's biography. When did he arrive in Detroit, did his parents move there as well?

If his parents did move to Detroit, then his mother could've been Nicolina Pellerito, born in Terrasini (not sure when). She was married to a Giuseppe Bommarito, born 1872 in Terrasini, who died in Detroit in 1932. The informant on Giuseppe's death record was Onofrio Bommarito (presumably a son, as Giuseppe's father was also Onofrio). In 1950, an Onofrio Bommarito born 1890 in Italy died in Detroit and listed his parents as Giuseppe Bommarito and Nicolina D'Anna (looks like this guy's wife was named D'Anna, so maybe the name was confused for his mother's surname on the death record. I've actually seen that happen in another case), so it's probably the same guy. In 1922, a Salvatore Bommarito, born 1896 in Italy, married Rose LoCricchio in Detroit; his parents were listed as Joseph Bommarito and Nicolina Pellerito. There were both D'Annas and Pelleritos in STL from Terrasini married to Bommaritos, but no evidence that this particular couple has previously lived in STL.

Anyone know if Scarface Joe had older brothers named Onofrio and Salvatore?

I've been trying to find out Scarface Joe's vital data for years. Like Tony said, too many Bommaritos.
It's going to be up to one of the Detroit experts like Scott B of Adam or maybe Scarface's FBI file to get that info.

[Angelo Santino]

There was an Anthony Corrado who was a member in 1963, was that The Bull? Anyone know his dob or dod or any other identifiers?

If he was Tony the Bull Corrado, then he was born 1935/03/27 in Michigan to Pietro Corrado and Pietrina Zerrilli (as we already know, both from Terrasini). Scott wrote before that Tony the Bull was most likely made in a 1955 ceremony, while his brother Dominic Peter "Fats" Corrado (born 1930/04/19) was made in 1951. Not sure that there was more than one Anthony Corrado as a member in 1963. Dominic died 1985/06/26 in Macomb, MI, while Tony died 2002/10/31 in Clinton Twshp, Macomb County, MI.

Had to have been him. Thanks.

[Angelo Santino]

Could someone help me with Scarface Joe Bommarito?

DOB: 5/26/1903
POB: St Louis
F: Giuseppe Bommarito
M: Lina

(What was his mother's surname?)

Too many Bommaritos, lol.

I tried looking into potential matches for "Lina" in STL (names like Angela/Angelina, Nicolina, Antonina) but didn't find a smoking gun. There are women named Angelina and Antonina (commonly anglicized as "elan", of course) who married Bommarito men, but none seem like a sure fit. I'd need to know more about Scarface Joe's biography. When did he arrive in Detroit, did his parents move there as well?

If his parents did move to Detroit, then his mother could've been Nicolina Pellerito, born in Terrasini (not sure when). She was married to a Giuseppe Bommarito, born 1872 in Terrasini, who died in Detroit in 1932. The informant on Giuseppe's death record was Onofrio Bommarito (presumably a son, as Giuseppe's father was also Onofrio). In 1950, an Onofrio Bommarito born 1890 in Italy died in Detroit and listed his parents as Giuseppe Bommarito and Nicolina D'Anna (looks like this guy's wife was named D'Anna, so maybe the name was confused for his mother's surname on the death record. I've actually seen that happen in another case), so it's probably the same guy. In 1922, a Salvatore Bommarito, born 1896 in Italy, married Rose LoCricchio in Detroit; his parents were listed as Joseph Bommarito and Nicolina Pellerito. There were both D'Annas and Pelleritos in STL from Terrasini married to Bommaritos, but no evidence that this particular couple has previously lived in STL.

Anyone know if Scarface Joe had older brothers named Onofrio and Salvatore?

I've been trying to find out Scarface Joe's vital data for years. Like Tony said, too many Bommaritos.
It's going to be up to one of the Detroit experts like Scott B of Adam or maybe Scarface's FBI file to get that info.

I'll keep it as Lina LNU for now and list (Terrasini?) next to it because there's a 90% chance that's where Angelina or Nicolina came from. Thanks for trying guys.

I have other names that I can't find but I'll wait for Scott to get back to me since this since he can likely assist. He excels in many areas, this is one of them. As you'll find out, he's like the Detroit Mob Siri.

[B.]

Sam Catalanotte's brother Joe was born in Salemi, makes sense if they had ties to Caruso.

[Angelo Santino]

Sam Catalanotte's brother Joe was born in Salemi, makes sense if they had ties to Caruso.