Zeng8r/Wikimedia Common A set of bolita balls. You can always change this later in your Account settings. The other guys are two doctors, who say they'll testify if they're summoned to court. Our thoughts and prayers with you. Santo was known to have been deeply involved in the CIA efforts to involve the underworld in assassination attempts on Fidel Castro. Today, Santo Trafficantes criminal legacy lives on through his nephew and namesake, Santo Trafficante III, who was charged with organized fraud in 1992. Despite his arrest, Trafficante managed to escape charges and continue to fly under the laws radar. Associates: Sam Giancana, Charlie Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Cuba, Fidel Castro, Johnny Rosselli, Robert Maheu. In 1975, the CIA declassified a report stating that Trafficante had been persuaded to poison Castro, an allegation he denied. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Harris & Ewing/Library of Commons/Wikimedia CommonsCuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. [14] When this was pointed out, Aleman denied that he meant that he believed Kennedy was going to murdered and said he thought that Trafficante meant that Kennedy was going to be "hit" politically during the next election. After this look at Santo Trafficante Jr., read the gruesome story of the murderous American dentist, Benjamin Salomon, of World War II. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Santo Trafficante (53540265)? She misses him, but she's making do. 12 talking about this. Trafficante was arrested on a bookmaking conspiracy charge. Born in Tampa, Florida to Sicilian parents Mafia don Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore. Love, Jimmy Schaffer. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Our deepest condolences to the Trafficante family. He was married to his wife for 49 years. It was clear that federal and local law enforcement had an acute interest in the Trafficante family. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. The mafiosos that made up the family are either retired, in prison, or have died due to old age. The Shore Acres home is 2,350-square-feet with 10 rooms that Capone reputedly built in 1925 for his mother. They used to be my greatest friend," Trafficante says. I laughed _ until I realized it was a total f------ disaster," Trafficante says. F. Kennedy not only failed to deliver on his promise to the mob but also actually put the Mafia under increasing pressure. "He's very creative in terms of the combination of things he eats," Alessi says. During a recent trip to Lake Tahoe he bought two basketballs autographed by Michael Jordan. I hold such fond memories of Santo & Gerry when I was growing up. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida A A. Welcome to Boxer Cycle Works. Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. Born in Tampa, Florida in 1914, Trafficante hailed from a family already deeply involved in organized crime. That was in part due to his lifestyle. As law enforcement pressure increased on the Mafia in the late 1940s, Santo, fearing. I am sorry I am unable to attend the services due to a illness. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Trafficante weathered the violence of Floridas Mob wars and the various conspiracy theories, the Cuban Revolution and the loss of his offshore casinos, as well as intense law enforcement scrutiny, without ever spending time in prison. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Please reset your password. On Oct. 26, 1937, Frank Trafficante named his first son after his own father, Santo Trafficante Sr. 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. Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. wills o' nats last of the summer wine. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Share Santo's life story with friends and family. Several were wounded. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. He attended a notorious convention of Mafia bosses held in the upstate New York town of Apalachin on November 14, 1957. After a lifetime in organized crime, Trafficante Jr. died of national causes in 1987. Try again later. 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. Santo Trafficante Jr, was born on November 15, 1914 in Tampa, Florida and followed in the footsteps of his father, Santo Trafficante Sr, into a life of organized crime. "The Mob? He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. Drag images here or select from your computer for Santo Trafficante Jr. memorial. We have set your language to 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. Failed to report flower. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. "I don't go to the bank and make all these billion-dollar deposits," he says. Century, Tampa was a small but growing city, and the organized crime it faced was modest. At this point in our collective history, we're not sure anyone would be surprised to learn that there is, in fact, something called The Mafia. What you might be surprised to learn, however, is how prevalent-even rampantorganized crime in Tampa was in the early and mid-20th century. Please enter your email and password to sign in. When his father died in 1954 he took control of these establishments. [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. Son of Santo Trafficante and Maria Giuseppa Trafficante But he was also the most powerful crime boss in pre-Castro Cuba, with influence that extended into Florida and the rest of the United States. Then, check out these photos of the aftermath from some of the bloodiest mob hits. He even sent his son, Santo Trafficante Junior, to New York, to gain a better understanding of how the mafia operated there. Indeed, he owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreclosures to local banks, which he says treat him "like I had leprosy" because of Key Bank. Other Mafia leaders, as well as newer organized crime networks, took over many of the rackets the family ran throughout the 20th Century. Shop eBooks and audiobooks at Rakuten Kobo. "There's no such thing as organized crime in Hillsborough County," Trafficante says, clapping his hands for emphasis. A few months later, two members of that group took the train to New York City to drum up support for a move against Santo. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. Husband of Private Consequently, while generally recognized as the most powerful organized crime figure in Florida throughout much of the 20th century, Trafficante was not believed to have total control over Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach. Search above to list available cemeteries. Let others know about your loved one's death. This was proven in 1953 when he eliminated the last contender to the Tampa mob throne: Joe Antinori, son of the late Ignacio. He has been featured on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery Channel, AHC, Oxygen Network and many local and national news shows. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. However the meeting came to be, the mob nonetheless brought influential states like Illinois into the Kennedy fold in exchange for the White House going easy on organized crime. [14], After a grant of immunity from prosecution, Trafficante testified before the HSCA the following day, September 28, and denied the allegation that he told Aleman that "Kennedy was going to be hit. During the rule of Cuba's authoritarian dictator Fulgencio Batista, Trafficante openly operated the Sans Souci Cabaret and the Casino International gambling establishments in Havana. 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. His abiding passion is food. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. By Santo III's own estimation, this was a wise move. In the 1950s, Tampas reputation for corruption and vice was so bad it prompted one national magazine to label the area the Hell Hole of the Gulf Coast. Given such negativity, who can blame people for just wanting to forget? Trafficantes chance came in the 1960s when he became acquainted with mobster John Handsome Johnny Roselli. I will always remember your perseverance, happiness and smiles at Marisa's wedding. The elder Trafficante set up illegal casinos in Cuba in the 1940s, which were sanctioned by Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. [13] Trafficante said that he introduced the trio to Cuban exiles in Florida. Getting in bed with Trafficante and other leading members of Americas organized crime seems like a strange thing to do for the CIA. Peter Moruzzi/Wikimedia Commons The glamorous casino in the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Havana in 1958. Returning to Miami, he joined his father, managing some . Their plans ranged from simply shooting him to having him smoke poisoned cigars or drinking a tainted milkshake. Santo was one of the FBIs targets in that case. He will be sorely missed and his heart of gold will be remembered by all who new him. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987 ). Rosselli later claimed to be involved with or to actually be a shooter in a Mob conspiracy to kill President John F. Kennedy, and some accounts have Trafficante involved in the alleged, and unproven, conspiracy. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Santo Trafficante Jr., one of the last of the old-time reputed Mafia dons, who was reportedly enlisted in 1960 in a futile effort to kill Fidel Castro, has died at the age of 72. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. The international narcotics trade was also an important topic on the Apalachin agenda. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. Santo Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. Getty ImagesSanto Trafficante was wanted in 48 states by the time he was 43. Every so often I think of the Jekyll Island and White Lake, NC trip and laugh. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. He has played golf with former New York Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles and former New York Islanders hockey player Clark Gillies. Please check your email for further instructions. Santo told the state attorney, I dont have an enemy in the world. gerry,i am so sorry to hear about santo. Resend Activation Email. Meanwhile, he continued to make money from the drugs that came through Tampa. Please check your entries and try again. He attended the University of Florida for a year, then transferred to the University of Tampa and left without completing his degree. The "Family Jewels" confirmed that in September 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. 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. The first case stemmed from the FBIs well-known Donnie Brasco undercover sting operation. 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. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Trafficante tried to win Castro over to his side, but that didnt work. "Now when I walk in a bank," Trafficante says, "the president runs out the back door.". Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. ", 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. All the convictions were overturned on appeal in 1960. This is a carousel with slides. He was the lynchpin in Tampa Charlie Wall The Kefauver hearings arrived in Tampa in December of 1950. Email blog@themobmuseum.org. Bankruptcy court documents show that Trafficante is owed $500,000 by a business partner. 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. Hoffa said to me, This has to be done.'. SANTO TRAFFICANTE SR, A Sicilian of the Old School, RULED TAMPAS UNDERWORLD FOR MORE THAN A DECADE! cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [5][6] Cuba was one of the Apalachin topics of discussion, particularly the gambling and narcotics smuggling interests of La Cosa Nostra on the island. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 16th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, with service to follow at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL. 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. "I still don't think I did anything wrong," Trafficante says. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Failed to delete memorial. This account has been disabled. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. There was an error deleting this problem. In 1963, the Mob allegedly had enough of Kennedy. Batista let Trafficante and other mobsters build as many casinos and hotels as they wanted in exchange for a cash kickback. He was a well-respected boss, even among the far larger New York crime families. Valenti hired his son-in-law at the produce company and allowed him to name his own salary. 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. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. You and Santo will always have a special place in my heart. His sons, Dino and Joseph, run it for him, though he worries that sometimes they don't work hard. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Mobster Johnny Rosselli, who worked for both Trafficante and the Chicago Outfit, was another associate involved in the unsuccessful efforts to kill Castro and, according to some biographies, was the man who put Trafficante and Giancana together with Maheu. But once Kennedy actually entered the White House, he didnt live up to his end of the bargain. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Gerry and your family. Don Santo Trafficante Jr. the godfather from Tampa, Florida, USA. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. I can answer any questions you . In the early 20th Century, Tampa was a small but growing city, and the organized crime it faced was modest. In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing, Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo - De Facto Boss of the Chicago Outfit, Giacomo Black Jack Tocco - Last of the Old School Detroit Partnership, Joseph Iacobacci - "Joe Loose" of the Cleveland Mob, John "Sonny" Franzese - A Colombo Family Legend. Buy the time LoScalzo took over in 1987, the Trafficante Crime Family was far past its heyday. The east coast of Florida was a loosely knit conglomerate of New York family interests with links to Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Angelo Bruno, Carlos Marcello, and Frank Ragano. "[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. At 7:25 p.m. on January 3, 1953, Florida Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. had just finished dinner with his wife and children at his father-in-laws house in the Ybor City section of Tampa, Florida. Conspiracy theorists consider Giancana along with Mafia leaders Santo Trafficante Jr. and Carlos Marcello associated with the assassination of Kennedy. 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. Reputedly the most powerful crime boss in Batista -era Cuba, he . 2023, Tampa Mafia. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. 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. [13] He stated that he received no payment for his involvement and that he acted out of patriotism. They raided my apartment, they were looking for money, they tore up all the furniture, they used to come and get me at nighttime, take me out in the woods, trying to tell where I had my money, this and that, until I finally went into hiding.. Reputed 'boss of bosses' dies at 72 TAMPA, Fla, "' Trafficante dies at age 72 TAMPA. She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. English The men started to drive away when another sedan drove past the Mercury, the occupants unloading a blast of buckshot as they passed. The CIA came to Trafficante, and asked for his help in enlisting the Mafia to assassinate the Cuban leader. To use this feature, use a newer browser. I have thought of you and Santo many times over the past 50 years. A system error has occurred. Trafficante enjoyed life in Cuba, developed a relationship with its strongman, the dictator Fulgencio Batista, and helped the Trafficante Crime family garner even more profits from its legitimate gambling operations there. While shouldering the legacy of his father and. In fact, Florida had the dubious distinction of being home to a decades-old Mafia criminal network: the Trafficante Family. But then came Key Bank, a massive drug-money-laundering investigation. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter of J.C. Valenti, who owned a thriving produce business. Trafficante was arrested again in 1957 for attending the famous Apalachin summit of Mob leaders in New York, but those charges were dropped. [13] Trafficante also stated that he had no recollection of meeting Oswald or Oswald's assassin, Jack Ruby. He was right, and when Castro took power in 1959, Trafficantes burgeoning gambling-and-drugs empire went under siege. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Read free previews and reviews from booklovers. Santo Trafficante Senior died in 1954. My uncle, never wore a ring," Trafficante says. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: The chairman cited a confession from Roselli that Trafficantes allies organized a sharpshooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, to take out the President. Whether or not a Mafia conspiracy was behind the assassination of Kennedy is still up for debate. 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. Nicknames: The Silent Don Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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. 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. 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. In this episode, we will discuss the fascinating life of Tampa's most powerful mobster: Santo Trafficante Jr. And as for the rest of the Trafficante Crime family? The next son was Luigi Santo Trafficante Jr. (his namesake and future Mafia boss), born on November 15, 1914. Trafficante was arrested frequently throughout the 1950s on various charges of bribery and of running illegal bolita lotteries in Tampa's Ybor City district.