"[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. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. He returned to Tampa for the last time for internment in the LUnione Italiana Cemetery. In his previous statements, Roselli also tied Lee Harvey Oswalds killer, Jack Ruby, to Santo Trafficante. [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. Sam Giancana - Wikipedia ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. 12 talking about this. They never returned. Indeed, some people would rather not dwell on the less-than-noble aspects of our local history. It was all on the up and up. It was also rumored that Santos was involved in a Mafia plot to kill President John F. Kennedy, though he denied there was any such conspiracy. James Anthony Traficant Jr. (May 8, 1941 - September 27, 2014) was an American politician who served as a Democrat, and later independent, member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio.He represented the 17th Congressional District, which centered on his hometown of Youngstown and included parts of three counties in northeast Ohio's Mahoning Valley. After his father died in 1954, he became the head in Tampa and took over his fathers interests in Cuba. [1] In 1997, further declassified documents indicated that some mafiosi worked with the agency on assassination attempts against Castro. Scott M. Deitche, Mob Museum Advisory Council member and mob http://www.scottdeitche.com/books.htmlauthor of Tampa's favorite books, Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld & The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jror Manny Leto, previous Editor of Cigar City Magazine and Tampa historian, will guide you on a 1.5 -2 hour walking tour to old gambling palaces, street corners, and alleys where some mobsters met their demise, and restaurants where wise guys, like famed boss Santo Trafficante Jr, held court. Santos married Josephine Marchese in 1938, they would have two daughters. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: Learn more about merges. And the Trafficante Crime family found out that it had an unusual ally in their concerns about Castro: the Central Intelligence Agency. She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). ", Christopher Sabella elected as Hillsborough Countys next chief judge, Tampa man arrested in death of person found in apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, Suspect in Hillsborough slaying of woman IDd, man known as Ya Dig, deputies say, After nearly a century of fixing Tampas flat tires, downtown Firestone closes, Under investigation, HART CEO proposes settlement, payout and exit, Dead body found in Hillsborough apartment with unharmed infant, deputies say, NAACP wants reparations for Tampas Black cemeteries that governments stole, Latin Kings gang leaders among 21 arrested in Hillsborough drug operation, sheriff says, Estimated 630,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Hillsborough River, records show, Tampa man who was first to face trial for Florida voter fraud in 2020 election gets probation. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF TAMPA'S UNDERWORLD IS OFTEN INTERTWINED WITH SOME OF Something went wrong. "[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. 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. 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. 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. Add to your scrapbook. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. Trafficantes chance came in the 1960s when he became acquainted with mobster John Handsome Johnny Roselli. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. Forget everything you think you know about Tampa mafia wives and girlfriends in the 1950s. After this look at Santo Trafficante Jr., read the gruesome story of the murderous American dentist, Benjamin Salomon, of World War II. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Hey, they have more convicts at the track than straight people," Trafficante says. 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. Santo Trafficante Jr News reports - YouTube He even sent his son, Santo Trafficante Junior, to New York, to gain a better understanding of how the mafia operated there. 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 . Santo, Jr. never spent a day in jail, and he died of natural causes in 1987. Thanks for your help! He went to Jesuit High School and played some football. After Cuban revolution, the Mafia saw Castro as a threat to their business. Don Santo Trafficante Jr. the godfather from Tampa, Florida, USA. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. My ex-wife Erline Lazzara was a childhood friend you might remember. His son, Santo Trafficante Jr., took over the crime family and became tangled in a web of conspiracies to kill the leader of revolutionary Cuba and, it is rumored, President John F. Kennedy. "Even my uncle (Santo Jr.) told me, "Santo, why don't you change your name?' Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. department.". Santo Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. Santo Trafficante, Jr (1914 - 1987) - Genealogy - geni family tree Sorry! She is now living in Virginia. He was the lynchpin in Tampa Charlie Wall The Kefauver hearings arrived in Tampa in December of 1950. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida He had a big heart and will be missed. The report was given to the District Attorney's office. Verify and try again. The hit man and the mobster: Jack Ruby and Santos Trafficante The chairman cited a confession from Roselli that Trafficantes allies organized a sharpshooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, to take out the President. Several were wounded. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. Trafficante crime family - Wikipedia The investigators were looking for proof of drug-money laundering. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. The Trafficante family formed a strong alliance with the Batista government in Cuba and profited from their investments, although they never achieved the goal of dominating gambling on the island. She was the Matriarch of the Trafficante Family; and we will all miss her presence, guidance, love and affection. Love and peace to you all. After the death of his wife, the Trafficante family sold their Tampa 1970-built home for $950,000. U.S. Treasury Department documents indicate that law enforcement believed Trafficante's legitimate business interests to include several legal casinos in Cuba; a Havana drive-in movie theater; and shares in several restaurants and bars in Trafficante's hometown of Tampa, Florida. santo trafficante daughters 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. Try again. In 1965, Giancana was convicted of contempt of court, serving one year in prison. Fla. (AP), Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52792202/frank-cacciatore-trafficante, L'Unione Italiana Cemetery, Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr, Death of Santo Trafficante, Jr at Houston, TX. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. His sons, Dino and Joseph, run it for him, though he worries that sometimes they don't work hard. Santo Trafficante Jr. - IMDb Santo Trafficante: Building the Family Business - Gangsters Inc This was proven in 1953 when he eliminated the last contender to the Tampa mob throne: Joe Antinori, son of the late Ignacio. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. Oops, we were unable to send the email. She was born on March 24, 1920. So, as the popular theory goes, the mob bosses that lent a helping hand in getting Kennedy into office wanted revenge. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood. This is a carousel with slides. He is hardly the "Dapper Don." Santo Trafficante 5 10 (1.78 m) Born November 15, 1914 Tampa, Florida, USA Died March 17, 1987 Spouse Josephine Marchese April 17, 1938 - March 17, 1987 (his death, 2 children) Publicity listings 2 Portrayals Did you know Edit Trivia Represented by Frank Ragano. 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. We have set your language to Trafficante Jr. was nonetheless a ruthless and old-school mob boss. [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. Oops, something didn't work. Then, check out these photos of the aftermath from some of the bloodiest mob hits. THE CHARLIE WALL STORY Kingpin Charlie Wall (center holding bottle, right of child) and his notorious gang. "[1][13] He stated that he was positive that he did not say it because he always spoke to Aleman in Spanish, and said that there was no way to state the phrase in Spanish. He is currently working on his seventh book, The Jersey Mob., Feedback or questions? I laughed _ until I realized it was a total f------ disaster," Trafficante says. Seven people were murdered. All the while, he lives in a palatial lakeside compound in rural northwest Hillsborough. Trafficante along with 56 other mobsters was arrested in New York while discussing what to do about the recent death of Gambino family head, Albert Anastasia. Santo Jr. succeeded his father as the boss of Tampa upon his death. "I don't go to the bank and make all these billion-dollar deposits," he says. Try again later. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. But Santo knew who was behind the killing a rival Mafia faction. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He wants Trafficante, whom he considers to have an authoritative palate, to sample a new pastry that Alessi plans to sell at his bakery. One bank filed suit in November against him and a business partner, alleging that they defaulted on an $85,000 loan for a piece of property. 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. Trafficante tried to win Castro over to his side, but that didnt work. Santos ran numerous legitimate businesses as well as illegal, including several legal casinos in Cuba, a Havana drive-in movie theater, and shares in restaurants and bars in Tampa. 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. Rosselli testified in 1975 to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the efforts to kill Castro. Santo Trafficante Jr. continued to develop his interests in Cuba serving as Luciano and Lanskys local liaison. So, at his attorney Ralph Fernandez's urging, he has agreed to talk publicly, hoping to shore up his damaged reputation. Treasury Department History of Santo Trafficante Jr 1961 He grimaces at the thought that the rumor has persisted so long. He has been featured on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery Channel, AHC, Oxygen Network and many local and national news shows. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. based on information from your browser. He died on March 17, 1987. 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. I am sorry I am unable to attend the services due to a illness. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [13] During his testimony, Trafficante also admitted for the first time that he had worked with the CIA from 1960 to 1961 for an attempt to poison Castro but stated that his role was only as an interpreter between CIA officials and Cuban exiles. "They wouldn't even let me go to the track. 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. cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Failed to report flower. According to the account of Judith Exner, however, one of JFKs many mistresses, it was she who introduced Kennedy to Chicago boss Giancana. He headed the . Santo Trafficante, Sr., the powerful Trafficante crime family's patriarch, was born on May 28, 1886, in Alexandria Della Rocca, Sicily. At 76,. Trafficante was arrested again in 1957 for attending the famous Apalachin summit of Mob leaders in New York, but those charges were dropped. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. 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. On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. But the news was not good on the Key Bank front. Trafficante was one of the last surviving members of the original Luciano mob era upon his death, and the truth behind the JFK assassination may have perhaps died with him. [3] His wife, Josephine, died in 2015 at the age of 95; he is survived by two of his daughters. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. 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. Search results for "Images of America" at Rakuten Kobo. And all this occurred throughout seven Sylvia at age 12 and her father Jimmy Velasco in California, June 1948 Jimmy Velasco was a political fixer. Send your deepest condolences with fresh flowers. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Departed this Life May 13, 2015 This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. More troubling for Trafficante was a court document that listed him for the first time as "a member of the Trafficante crime family.". As law enforcement pressure increased on the Mafia in the late 1940s, Santo, fearing. And while cocaine-fueled Latin American criminal networks have been a serious problem in Florida for decades, the Trafficante familys illicit activities were quite infamous as well. Fine food, and lots of it. He was known as an organized crimes figure. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password.