What do We Know about Willie Moretti?

[B.]

Nice job deducing who it likely was.

Another one we can add to the "Eastern Palermo" Genovese list: viewtopic.php?p=278571

His age and previous residence in NYC would suggest he may have been an early NYC-based member under Masseria and maybe the Morello Family before that.

Also another Sicilian under the Catenas. That crew seems to be where the majority of NJ-based Sicilians in the Genovese Family ended up.

[Antiliar]

I wonder if some of these early Lercara Friddi guys may have been in Lucky's crew before he became the boss.

[JoelTurner]

He almost certainly would have known Masseria & Luciano. Patsy lived for years in the East Village at 441 E 12th St, NYC, NY. Genovese member Pietro Dolcemascolo lived a stone’s throw away at 437 E 13th St, NYC, NY

He also lived in Brooklyn (1655 75th St, Brooklyn, NY) for a short time, between the WW1 draft & his daughter’s birth in NJ on Aug 24 1922

[JoelTurner]

Listed as a deceased captain by 1963, John “Duke” Denoia was a member of Willie Moretti’s crew. Here’s a better look at him:

Born in NYC, NY Oct 20 1899 to Antonio DeNoia & Irena Spera, Denoia grew up in East Harlem at 3466 E 112th St, NYC, NY. In 1930, he was married to Lillian Ward, living at 2046 3rd Ave, NYC, NY

By Feb 8 1933, he was in North Jersey as he was pinched for liquor there. He was operating out of 783 Palisades Ave, Cliffside Park, NJ; this was where his infamous Duke’s Restaurant would be located.

It isn’t clear when exactly he served as a captain. I’d speculate that he could have stepped up during Moretti’s long trips to California in the ‘40s.

Post-Moretti, Denoia worked as a night boss at the Jersey City docks. He passed away on Dec 3 1959.

——————-

His brother Carmine “Jardine” Denoia knew Damon Runyon and was the inspiration for Nicely-Nicely, a character from Guys and Dolls.

Two of Carmine’s sons were with the Genovese family. John “JJ” Denoia (1927-1991) was a member in Florida and Carmine “Wassel” Denoia (1925-2015) was an associate involved in the music industry.

[Brovelli]

Wasn’t there a Phil denoia around Andy Gerardo too? May be no relation to these guys

[B.]

I've wondered too if Denoia was a captain (acting or otherwise) given Moretti was an acting part of the administration on a seemingly recurring basis for many years.

In addition to listing him as a capodecina, Valachi identified Denoia as being under Richie Boiardo in an FBI interview although we know there are many issues with some of Valachi's apparent Boiardo crew identifications.

[bronx]

wassel was also selling jewelry

[JoelTurner]

Wasn’t there a Phil denoia around Andy Gerardo too? May be no relation to these guys

He doesn’t appear to be related

[JoelTurner]

I've wondered too if Denoia was a captain (acting or otherwise) given Moretti was an acting part of the administration on a seemingly recurring basis for many years.

Did captains who were holding an acting position usually do that?

[Brovelli]

Wasn’t there a Phil denoia around Andy Gerardo too? May be no relation to these guys

He doesn’t appear to be related

Thanks