Frank Scalice
Frank Scalice | |
---|---|
racketeer | |
Predecessor | Manfredi Mineo |
Successor | Vincent Mangano |
Children | 6 |
Relatives | Anthony Gaggi (second cousin) Dominick Montiglio (third cousin) |
Allegiance | Anastasia crime family |
Frank Scalice
Early life
Scalice was born Francesco Scalisi in Palermo, Sicily, Italy on September 23, 1893, to Vincenzo Scalisi and Emanuela Privetera.[1] He was a cousin of Anthony Gaggi's father,[2] and third cousin of Dominick Montiglio, Gaggi's nephew. In 1910s, with his brothers Thomas, Philip, Jack,[3] Joseph and Giovanni, Frank emigrated to the United States, settling in The Bronx. He was married to Joan, and he had five daughters and one step-son.[3] He operated his business from the Little Italy area in the Bronx. He also lived and raised his family in the City Island section of the Bronx. He was involved in many crimes and became Capo in the Brooklyn-based gang of Salvatore D'Aquila. After the murder of D'Aquila on October 10, 1928, the power in New York shifted to Joe Masseria's Manhattan-based gang.[4][5] The successor of D'Aquila, Manfredi Mineo, connected Masseria with the alliance and came into conflict with Scalice as a result.
Career
On November 5, 1930, Mineo and his underboss, Stefano "Steve" Ferrigno, were murdered by Castellammarese Sicilians, led by Salvatore Maranzano.[6] Scalice became the new boss of the family and a strong ally and supporter of Maranzano in the Castellammarese War.
The Castellammarese War ended on April 15, 1931, when Masseria was killed.
On September 8, 1945, Scalice helped mobster Bugsy Siegel open the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Scalice later became involved in the casino business.
During the Mangano era, Mangano had resented Albert Anastasia's close ties to Luciano and Frank Costello, particularly the fact that they had obtained Anastasia's services without first seeking Mangano's permission. This and other disputes led to heated fights.[10]
Mangano's brother Philip was found dead near Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn on April 19, 1951.[11] Vincent Mangano disappeared, he was never found and was declared dead ten years later. It was widely assumed that Anastasia had them killed.[12]
After the deaths of the Manganos, Anastasia became the boss of the family, promoting Scalice as underboss.
Death
On June 17, 1957, Scalice was assassinated by two gunmen at a vegetable market in the Bronx,
After his death, Carlo Gambino became Anastasia's underboss.
On September 7 of that year, Scalice's brother Joseph was murdered and declared missing on September 10.[16] According to Joseph Valachi, he was killed by James Squillante, after he threatened to avenge Frank's murder, and like that of his brother it was ordered by Anastasia.[17]
On April 27, 1959, Scalice's brother Giovanni, who had been held as a witness in his brother's murder, was discharged, and took a plane to Paris.[18]
In popular culture
The murder of Scalice inspired the assassination attempt on Vito Corleone in The Godfather, who was shot and critically wounded while buying fruit at a fruit stand.[19]
References
- ^ "immagine 316". Antenati (in Italian). Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ Mustain, Gene; Capeci, Jerry (1993). Murder Machine: A True Story of Murder, Madness, and the Mafia. p. 9.
Not to his parents' surprise or particular alarm, he turned to his father's connected cousin, Frank Scalise,
- ^
- ISBN 978-0-691-15801-3.
- ISBN 978-1-4357-2507-2.
- ISBN 978-0-87131-777-3.
- ISBN 978-1-57859-256-2.
- ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4422-0650-2.
- ISBN 978-0061091841.
- ^ "AIDE OF JOE ADONIS IS FOUND SHOT DEAD; Waterfront Racketeer 'Taken for a Ride, Then Dumped Out in a Brooklyn Marsh Glasses Spattered With Blood". The New York Times. April 20, 1951. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
The body of Philip Mangano, described by the police as a waterfront racketeer, who had been shot three times in the head, was found yesterday near Jamaica Bay in the Bergen Beach section of Brooklyn.
- ^ Gage, Nicholas (October 16, 1976). "Carlo Gambino, a Mafia Leader, Dies in His Long Island Home at 74". The New York Times. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
Mr. Gambino and his cousins became "soldiers" in the family headed by Philip and Vincent Mangano. The two men were murdered in 1951 on orders of Albert Anastasia, who succeeded them as family boss.
- ^ "SUBSCRIBE NOW LOG IN Underworld Figure Murdered in Bronx; Underworld Figure Assassinated By 2 Gunmen at Bronx Fruit Shop Never Questioned on Costello Was Called as Witness". The New York Times. June 18, 1957. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
Frank Scalise, 55-year-old underworld figure and reputed associate of Frank Costello, was slain yesterday afternoon by two gunmen as he left a Bronx fruit and vegetable store.
- ^ "Scalise Inquiry Begins" (PDF). The New York Times. April 7, 1959. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ "POLICE PHOTOGRAPH FUNERAL OF SCALISE". The New York Times. June 23, 1957. p. 58. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ISBN 978-0-671-63173-4.
- ^ "SCALISE FREED, LEAVES; Had Been Held as Witness in Murder of Brother Frank". The New York Times. April 28, 1959. p. 59. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
Giovanni Scalise, who had been held as a material witness in the murder of his brother Frank in June, 1957, was discharged yesterday. He was escorted by immigration officials to a plane that departed for Paris from New York International Airport, at Idlewild Queens.
- ISBN 978-0399108327.
Sources
- Mustain, Gene; Capeci, Jerry (1993). Murder Machine: A True Story of Murder, Madness, and the Mafia.
- Varese, Federico (February 1, 2013). Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories. ISBN 978-0-691-15801-3. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4357-2507-2. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-87131-777-3. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0061091841.
- Mayo, Mike (February 1, 2008). American Murder: Criminals, Crimes and the Media. ISBN 978-1-57859-256-2. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4422-0650-2. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-671-63173-4.
- ISBN 978-0399108327.
Notes
- ^ Also spelled Scalise.
External links
- "Frank Scalice". Find a Grave. July 9, 1999. Retrieved June 6, 2020.