There is a problem with your email/password. Try again. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. Resend Activation Email. If the decision is upheld on appeal, charges against Trafficante may be dismissed. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. I will never forget him as a fellow stroke survivor. 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. Scott M. Deitche is the author of six books on organized crime, including a biography of Santo Trafficante Jr., and has written dozens of articles on organized crime for magazines and newspapers. With deepest sympathy and love. The men started to drive away when another sedan drove past the Mercury, the occupants unloading a blast of buckshot as they passed. Another bank sued Trafficante and his wife in October for repayment of a $100,000 promissory note. The mobsters also attempted to get Castro into a poisoned wetsuit and even offered to blow him up with an exploding seashell. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Services will be followed by a graveside service at the Italian Club Cemetery and a reception at the family home. We have set your language to My heart goes out to the family. Santo Trafficante Jr. Learns About Sonny Franzese Trafficante was arrested frequently throughout the 1950s on various charges of bribery and of running illegal bolita lotteries in Tampa's Ybor City district. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. The charges of bank fraud against Trafficante and more than a dozen bank employees and customers may well be dismissed. 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. Indeed, a wiretapped conversation picked up a Key Bank official calling Trafficante a "sacred cow," with loans in excess of a million dollars. After months of wiretapped phone conversations, investigators seized boxloads of documents, some with Trafficante's name on them. The next son was Luigi Santo Trafficante Jr. (his namesake and future Mafia boss), born on November 15, 1914. Their plans ranged from simply shooting him to having him smoke poisoned cigars or drinking a tainted milkshake. Santo Traficante Jr fue uno de los ltimos y mas poderosos capos de la mafia en Florida y Cuba. [13] He testified that he was brought into the plot by Roselli and Giancana, who had been recruited by Maheu. Trafficante crime family - Wikipedia I hold such fond memories of Santo & Gerry when I was growing up. Under pressure of a court order granting him immunity from prosecution, but threatening him with contempt if he refused to talk, Santos admitted to a Congressional committee in 1975 that he had in the early 1960s recruited other mobsters to assassinate Castro. We cant help ourselves when it comes to watching mob films like The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino and HBOs Boardwalk Empire and the iconic cable TV show, The Sopranos. "[12] He said that Trafficante complained about the honesty of the Kennedys and their "attacks" on Jimmy Hoffa and other associates. But before Trafficante testified, someone conveniently killed Roselli. Santo Trafficante Jr. (1914-1987) - Find a Grave Memorial Santo Jr. succeeded his father as the boss of Tampa upon his death. The investigators were looking for proof of drug-money laundering. Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. In 1963, the Mob allegedly had enough of Kennedy. Seven people were murdered. RIP Santo. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. By Santo III's own estimation, this was a wise move. Trafficante would rather be force-fed raw carrot sticks for eternity than be seen talking to a reporter. Indeed, some people would rather not dwell on the less-than-noble aspects of our local history. love gloria "owens" hill. Santo worked closely with Lucchese family boss Tommy Lucchese, who was a friend of his father, and a man who helped train him in the 1940s. 2023, Tampa Mafia. Authorities also said he urged former bank vice president Michael Pupello to impersonate him in calls to federal bank regulators. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. As law enforcement pressure increased on the Mafia in the late 1940s, Santo, fearing. "Even my uncle (Santo Jr.) told me, "Santo, why don't you change your name?' "[12], In 1978, both Trafficante and Aleman were called to testify before members of the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations investigating possible links between Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and anti-Castro Cubans, including the theory that Castro had Kennedy killed in retaliation for the CIA's attempts on his own life. Santo Trafficante Jr. - The Mob Museum cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior. Josephine Marchese Trafficante, 95, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning at her home. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF TAMPA'S UNDERWORLD IS OFTEN INTERTWINED WITH SOME OF Something went wrong. He was going to be hit.. Don Santo Trafficante Jr was one of the last of the old-time American Mafia bosses in the United States. Mrs. Gerry, Gina, Dino, Joe and Marisa - they broke the mold with Traff. In 1975, the CIA declassified a report stating that Trafficante had been persuaded to poison Castro, an allegation he denied. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. She was a native of Tampa, a second-generation Sicilian immigrant who grew up in Ybor city. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. You have been in pain too long. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Add to your scrapbook. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Alongside Chicago boss Sam Giancana, Roselli and Trafficante came up with some truly insane plots to kill Fidel Castro. Try again later. Fine food, and lots of it. "My kids suffered a lot by it," he says. Authorities said he leaked a list of suspects in the case and then lied about it. "I'm in the I.O.U. Santo Trafficante Jr News reports - YouTube On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. "He's very creative in terms of the combination of things he eats," Alessi says. In a final disappointment, he sold a filly named "Run Marisa Run" (after his daughter) for $7,500. Failed to remove flower. During the 1950s, Trafficante Jr. maintained a narcotic trafficking network with Tommy Lucchese, the boss of the Lucchese crime family in New York City. Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. Trafficantes chance came in the 1960s when he became acquainted with mobster John Handsome Johnny Roselli. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. 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. "When my uncle visited it was like a family reunion. Our heartfelt condolences go out to your family. Born in Tampa, Florida in 1914, Trafficante hailed from a family already deeply involved in organized crime. [13], On January 14, 1992, Trafficante's former attorney, Frank Ragano, told Jack Newfield of the New York Post that he relayed a request from Hoffa to Trafficante and New Orleans boss Carlos Marcello to have Kennedy killed. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Wikimedia CommonsPresident John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He was, in many ways, the archetypical old-school Mob boss. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing his ownership of a car dealership, and employment at various restaurants and night clubs over the years. Trafficante Sr. hung back and developed relationships with politicians and his Mob colleagues in New York and Chicago. "[19] In his book Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Vincent Bugliosi has claimed there to be many flaws in Ragano's claims, including his own claim that Trafficante was most likely not in Tampa on the day in question, but was rather in North Miami Beach, Florida, receiving dialysis treatments. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. While he had several close calls with law enforcement including the famed FBI, Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. Trafficante scrambled out the passenger-side door. By 1987, the Mafia boss, who had walked the casino floors of the Sans Souci in Cuba, dined and hobnobbed with Frank Sinatra in the nightclubs and hotels of South Beach, and who commanded a presence in Tampa that is still felt today, was suffering from a diseased kidney and bad heart. The hit man and the mobster: Jack Ruby and Santos Trafficante [8] Allusions to these historic connections were confirmed by the CIA's 2007 declassification of the "Family Jewels" documents. ". Mobster dies, two nations. In the meantime, the allegation that he is a mobster has dogged him and his family. 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. When his father died in 1954 he took control of these establishments. GREAT NEWS! We never paid cash. This account has been disabled. "Now when I walk in a bank," Trafficante says, "the president runs out the back door.". . Email blog@themobmuseum.org. Chris and I will never forget Santo's presence at Leia's welcome home party. Desr Gerry, please know that I am thinking of you and never forget the kindness bestowed on me in my difficult time but especially the generosity and affection shown to my daughter and grandson. A native and lifelong resident of Tampa, Mr. Traffi-cante is survived by his loving family, wife, Geraldine "Gerry" L. Trafficante; sons, Dino Jose and Joseph Frank Trafficante; daughters,. Trafficante was born in Tampa, Florida, to Sicilian parents Santo Trafficante Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. It was all on the up and up. "I don't go to the bank and make all these billion-dollar deposits," he says. [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. THE HIT THAT EXPOSED SOME OF TAMPAS ELITE. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. At Boxer Cycle Works. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. By this point, Trafficante Jr. had fully taken over the oversight of drugs shipped between Florida, Cuba, and the rest of the States. 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. 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. His health had declined in his later years. He dropped out of high school and spent time in New York learning the trade from some of the countries toughest mobsters. Whether or not a Mafia conspiracy was behind the assassination of Kennedy is still up for debate. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. REPUTED FLORIDA GODFATHER TRAFFICANTE, 72, DIES - Sun Sentinel He was rumored to be part of a Mafia syndicate which owned many Cuban hotels and casinos. Santo Trafficante, Jr. - facebook.com Trafficante admitted his anti-Castro activities to the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978, and vehemently denied allegations that he had knowledge of a plot to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Search results for "Images of America" at Rakuten Kobo. And then there are the infinite conspiracy theories about the assassination of President Kennedy, many of them featuring Trafficante. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. Santo Trafficante Jr. Wiki & Bio - everipedia.org An editor and public historian, Carly Silver has written for Smithsonian, Narratively, The Atlantic, Atlas Obscura, and Archaeology, among other publications. Treasury Department History of Santo Trafficante Jr 1961 There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida gerry,i am so sorry to hear about santo. He was severed from that trial for medical reasons. In this episode, we will discuss the fascinating life of Tampa's most powerful mobster: Santo Trafficante Jr. Our thoughts and prayers with you. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. 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. As we all know, he was right, and Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper in November 1963. Learn more about managing a memorial . Rosselli testified in 1975 to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the efforts to kill Castro. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Castellana, Malio Iavarone, FrankCookie Fava, Antonino Marchese, Derek Iavarone, Frank Albano, Drew Smith, Joey Hunt, Michael Sierra, Tony Marchese, Peter Albano, Mario Pullara, Frank Miranda, Dino Trafficante, and Joseph Trafficante. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. His son was turned away from a date's house and his daughter has been refused jobs. But considering the fiercely anti-Soviet atmosphere of the Cold War, its not that hard to believe. [20], In 2005, Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann's book Ultimate Sacrifice said that Trafficante was behind an aborted plot to kill Kennedy in Tampa on November 18, 1963. He headed the . Sam Giancana - Wikipedia When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in Scarface, or the heyday of Miami Vice. Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. Tampa Mafia Tour - Tampa Mafia [14], The HSCA had previously quoted Aleman as stating that he thought Trafficante's use of the phrase "he is going to be hit" meant that the mob boss knew Kennedy was going to be killed. His wife also was named in the fraud charges. Santo Jr. was indicted several times through the 1950s but was convicted only once, on state charges in 1954 for bribery, and that conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court. [13] Trafficante also stated that he had no recollection of meeting Oswald or Oswald's assassin, Jack Ruby. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Following his death, Mobster Vincent LoScalvo took over the Trafficante familys criminal network in Florida. Frank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr. (right). After his father died in 1954, he became the head in Tampa and took over his fathers interests in Cuba. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53540265/santo-trafficante. Perched on the edge of a leather chair in his attorney's office, Santo J. Trafficante III wears a pained expression on his jowly face. His luck has not improved recently. Valenti hired his son-in-law at the produce company and allowed him to name his own salary. Please enter your email and password to sign in. "Banks are my greatest enemy. Please reset your password. I think it was a case of mistaken identity.. One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. "[12] Aleman claimed to have reported Trafficante's comments to his FBI contacts, who "dismissed the Kennedy warnings as gangland braggadocio. [2] Trafficante Jr. had known Lucchese since the 1940s, when his father and Lucchese had trained him in the mafia traditions. Every so often I think of the Jekyll Island and White Lake, NC trip and laugh. We found ourselves in a love affair with Tony Soprano and we could not stop watching. Organized Crime Figure. [15], Ragano also claimed that Trafficante, four days prior to his death, delivered a deathbed confession which suggested that Marcello was meant to assassinate Robert F. Kennedy instead of his brother, the President. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987 ). In 1946, Santo Sr. sent his son, already a family underboss, to Cuba to invest in the growing number of nightclubs and casinos in the island nation. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: The Unbelievable Story Of Richard Lee McNair The Man Who Mailed Himself Out Of Prison, What JFK's Mob-Affiliated Mistress May Have Known About His Assassination, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Let others know about your loved one's death. He was a well-respected boss, even among the far larger New York crime families. In 1959, the Cuban Revolution toppled the corrupt Batista government and the rebel leader, Fidel Castro, nationalized foreign-owned properties and shuttered the casinos, a huge financial blow to Trafficante, who was second only to Meyer Lansky in the depth of his investments in Havana. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Other Mafia leaders, as well as newer organized crime networks, took over many of the rackets the family ran throughout the 20th Century. Please try again later. Who better than his son, Trafficante Jr., to inherit his throne? Hoffa said to me, This has to be done.'.