In a 1978 legal testimony, Trafficante discussed how quickly Castro shut it all down, then reopened the casinos on his own terms. The mobsters also attempted to get Castro into a poisoned wetsuit and even offered to blow him up with an exploding seashell. Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. By Santo III's own estimation, this was a wise move. [11], In 1976, Cuban exile and FBI informant Jose Aleman told The Washington Post that in September 1962, Trafficante had offered him a loan of $1.5million to replace Aleman's three-story "ramshackle motel with a 12-story glass wonder. She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. Let others know about your loved one's death. Alongside Chicago boss Sam Giancana, Roselli and Trafficante came up with some truly insane plots to kill Fidel Castro. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We found ourselves in a love affair with Tony Soprano and we could not stop watching. And the Trafficante Crime family found out that it had an unusual ally in their concerns about Castro: the Central Intelligence Agency. [12] According to Aleman, when he told Trafficante that President John F. Kennedy would likely be re-elected, Trafficante replied, "No, Jose, he is going to be hit. We send our most sincere sympathies to the Trafficante family. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo Paniello and Sarah Ann Valdes; her grandchildren, Dr. Santo Paniello and wife Susan; Dina Smith and husband Don; Melissa Castellana and husband John; and Valerie Cordell and husband Ian; her great-grandchildren, Michael Sierra, Elizabeth Paniello, Sam Paniello, Christopher Paniello, Christina Castellana, Augie Castellana, Alexa Cordell, Anna Cordell Drew Smith, Allison Hunt and husband Joey; as well as endless extended family. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. Trafficante crime family - Wikipedia An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior. In 1954, Santo Sr. died of natural causes (at a time when some of his remaining rivals were still being violently dispatched), and his son took over leadership of the crime family. His abiding passion is food. On March 17, 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72 at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston where he had gone for heart surgery. For the last 20 years, everyone knew her as JuJu. In 1950, the aging Trafficante Sr. began to slow down. He drove a forklift for 20 years. Santo Jr., who had inherited the leadership of the Tampa Mafia around 1950 when his father, Santo Sr., fell ill, had now completed his consolidation of power in Tampa and beyond. Santo Trafficante Sr. was a Florida mobster who survived a series of vicious gang wars to become the leader of a powerful Mafia crime family based in Tampa. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. please know that i am praying for you and your family. The gunmen drove off, unaware they had failed to kill Trafficante, merely grazing his arm. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. In the 1960 presidential election, Kennedy family patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr. used his ties to organized crime to secure votes for his son, John F. Kennedy. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. In October 1966, while waiting in a Queens courthouse for his turn to be questioned by a grand jury about the infamous LaStella meeting (later dubbed "Little Apalachin") held a couple of weeks earlier on September 22, Santo Trafficante Jr., who was the boss of the Tampa Bay Crime Family, overheard reporters talking about someone . He maintained close working ties with the Lucchese crime family and the Bonanno crime family from New York City. Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia CommonsCuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. He is hardly the "Dapper Don." [13] He stated that he received no payment for his involvement and that he acted out of patriotism. Trafficante Jr. was nonetheless a ruthless and old-school mob boss. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. The American governments close ties to Santo Trafficante Jr. and the rest of the Mafia didnt end with their attempts to kill Castro. Trafficantes partnership with Batista was profitable for both parties and so the mobsters fate became inextricably tied to that of Cubas political climate. He dropped out of high school before the 10th grade. Santo was one of the FBIs targets in that case. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. Santo met and married Maria Giuseppe Cacciatore on April 20, 1909. Don Santo Trafficante Jr was one of the last of the old-time American Mafia bosses in the United States. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Florida, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1823-1982, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. However, LoScalzo was nonetheless able to expand the families criminal reach into new locations across Florida, and took advantage of alliances with other Mafia families to ensure the mob maintained its hold on criminal activities. He headed the Trafficante crime family and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Trafficante maintained links to the Bonanno crime family in New York City, but was more closely allied with Sam Giancana in Chicago. Notoriety comes with family name - Tampa Bay Times Trafficante tried to win Castro over to his side, but that didnt work. James Traficant - Wikipedia Zeng8r/Wikimedia Common A set of bolita balls. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Santo Trafficante Jr. Learns About Sonny Franzese Thanks for subscribing! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In this episode, we will discuss the fascinating life of Tampa's most powerful mobster: Santo Trafficante Jr. F. Kennedy not only failed to deliver on his promise to the mob but also actually put the Mafia under increasing pressure. He headed the Trafficante crime family from 1954 to 1987 and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Trafficante maintained links to the Bonanno crime family in New York City, but was more closely allied with Sam Giancana in Chicago. Search above to list available cemeteries. He dropped out of high school and spent time in New York learning the trade from some of the countries toughest mobsters. She is now living in Virginia. On the day that investigators raided Key Bank, a cardiologist at St. Joseph's Hospital was inserting a catheter in Trafficante's groin. [18] According to Ragano, he met Hoffa at the Teamsters' headquarters in Washington, DC, then delivered the message to Trafficante and Marcello in a meeting at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. There is a problem with your email/password. Thanks for your help! The men started to drive away when another sedan drove past the Mercury, the occupants unloading a blast of buckshot as they passed. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). Wikimedia CommonsPresident John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Treasury Department History of Santo Trafficante Jr 1961 Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. Trafficante was jailed and deported when Fidel Castro rose to power, leading him to spend a good portion of his adult life hatching a plan of revenge. In 1957 he was suspected of involvement in the barbershop slaying of Albert Anastasia, the . Born in Tampa, Florida to Sicilian parents Mafia don Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore. The guy really tried to do it right.". And purchase valuable sports memorabilia for himself. Plant a tree to honor the memory of your loved one. After a violent mob war left several of Trafficantes rivals dead or weakened, his gang rapidly rose to prominence in Tampa. Indeed, a wiretapped conversation picked up a Key Bank official calling Trafficante a "sacred cow," with loans in excess of a million dollars. Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesSanto Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Try again later. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF TAMPA'S UNDERWORLD IS OFTEN INTERTWINED WITH SOME OF Something went wrong. Please try again later. There was an error deleting this problem. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. My heart goes out to the family. Mob Lawyer Frank Ragano Says He Knows Who Killed JFK", "Book alleges plot to kill JFK in Tampa, cover-up", "At Santo Trafficante auction, a chance to buy a piece of Tampa's mob history", Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, Associated Press report on Trafficante's death, "Little Man: Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life" By Robert Lacy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santo_Trafficante_Jr.&oldid=1140940042, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 15:02. [14] He stated that he was concerned for his safety and was not certain that he had ever correctly heard or understood Trafficante's comment. He headed the Trafficante crime family from 1954 to 1987 and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The elder Trafficante set up illegal casinos in Cuba in the 1940s, which were sanctioned by Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. He returned to Tampa for the last time for internment in the LUnione Italiana Cemetery. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior . Who better than his son, Trafficante Jr., to inherit his throne? We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Some people also alleged that Trafficante Jr played a role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy due to his anti-organized crime efforts, but Trafficante Jr. always denied it. After a lifetime in organized crime, Trafficante Jr. died of national causes in 1987. He owned and operated some of the most lavish casinos in pre-Castro Cuba. [19] He claimed three witnesses could support his statement that he met Trafficante in Tampa, but refused to name them, adding: "One guy is afraid of retaliation. Florida Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. died 30 years ago March 17 Trafficante would be charged with bank fraud, perjury and disclosure of criminal investigation. He worked to expand the crime familys business holding and territory he was particularly interested in Cuba as a location for gambling, hotels and night clubs and worked to cement good ties with his fellow mobsters in New York City. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. When Fidel Castro began his ascent to power in the 1950s, Santo Trafficante feared the radical Marxist revolutionary wouldnt cooperate with him. The hit man and the mobster: Jack Ruby and Santos Trafficante He moved to Cuba in 1955 where he met the countrys authoritarian ruler Fulgencio Batista. He offered to pay $150,000 to have Castro killed, but Roselli declined any pay and introduced Maheu to two men he referred to as "Sam Gold" and "Joe." Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Santo Trafficante (53540265)? As law enforcement pressure increased on the Mafia in the late 1940s, Santo, fearing. ). He will be sorely missed and his heart of gold will be remembered by all who new him. The next son was Luigi Santo Trafficante Jr. (his namesake and future Mafia boss), born on November 15, 1914. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Like many of the most prominent mobsters of the 20th century, his father, Santo Trafficante Sr., grew up in Sicily, Italy but became a major player in the criminal world after migrating to America. Meanwhile, he continued to make money from the drugs that came through Tampa. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Mobster dies, two nations. Episode 58: The Tampa Mafia- Santo Trafficante Jr - YouTube Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. He headed the . Passing before her were her parents Antonino and Sarafina Marchese; her beloved husband Santo Trafficante Jr.; her son-in-law's Augie Paniello and Richard Valdes; and her brothers, Bennie Marchese, Tommy Marchese, and Peter Marchese. Drag images here or select from your computer for Santo Trafficante Jr. memorial. GREAT NEWS! Fifteen years following the assassination, Trafficante testified in front of the United States House Select Committee on the murder of JFK in exchange for immunity. cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Italian Club of Tampa Cemetery Fund, 1731 East 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. ". His business ventures have not always been successful. Santo Trafficante Jr. (1914-1987) - Find a Grave Memorial wikipedia.en/Sam_Giancana.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. As we all know, he was right, and Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper in November 1963. But considering the fiercely anti-Soviet atmosphere of the Cold War, its not that hard to believe. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. The beachfront properties were the site of many parties and barbecues. [13] On September 27, 1978, Aleman reiterated to HSCA investigators that Trafficante had complained to him for hours in June or July 1963 about Kennedy's crackdown on organized crime at a meeting to discuss a business loan. A car registered to former state attorney and current state appellate judge E.J. You and Santo will always have a special place in my heart. There was a problem getting your location. Mrs. Gerry, Gina, Dino, Joe and Marisa - they broke the mold with Traff. I found on Findagrave.com. The seeds for Trafficantes most interesting historical chapter were planted, as the mobster would go on to have a well-established relationship with the CIA in an ongoing effort to assassinate Castro. Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. Trafficante Jr. controlled his Tampa-based crime network for over three decades. Images of America Series de libros - eBooks | Rakuten Kobo Mxico As a leading member of the syndicate, he also was suspected of having behind-the-scenes interests in other syndicate-owned Cuban casinos: the Hotel Habana Riviera, the Tropicana Club, the Sevilla-Biltmore, the Capri Hotel Casino, the Commodoro, the Deauville, and the Havana Hilton. Santo Trafficante Jr - Mafia Facts Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. A Drive-By Historical Tour of Tampa's Notorious Wise Guys Weve updated the security on the site. As such, Trafficante Sr. controlled gambling rackets for bolita, a lottery game popular in Florida and Cuba, until 1940 when the murder of Tampa boss Ignacio Antinori pushed the Trafficantes to assume ultimate power in the Florida underworld. I think it was a case of mistaken identity.. You need a Find a Grave account to continue.