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. Geni requires JavaScript! 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. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. 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. Trafficante was born in Tampa, Florida, to Sicilian parents Santo Trafficante Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. I will never forget him as a fellow stroke survivor. She touched all who knew her, and upon meeting her, she would embrace you, and you would instantly become part of the family. 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. As one of the most powerful mobsters in the US, Trafficante was invited to the Havana Conference in December 1946. His business ventures have not always been successful. And purchase valuable sports memorabilia for himself. They had three daughters, Antoinette born . He died of natural causes, at the age of 72, in Houston, Texas. Our deepest condolences to the Trafficante family. 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. Thanks for subscribing! Although a judge dismissed the charge for lack of evidence, the arrest had a lasting impact on another of Trafficante's ventures: thoroughbred breeding and racing. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. After Fidel Castro's revolutionary government seized the assets of Trafficante's Cuban businesses and expelled him from the country as an "undesirable alien," Trafficante came into contact with various US intelligence operatives, and was involved in several unsuccessful plans to assassinate Castro. Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesFrank Ragano and Santo Trafficante Jr. (right). We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). That was in part due to his lifestyle. Early in Trafficantes federal court case in 1986, the judge declared a mistrial. 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. Maheu hid the fact that he was sent by the CIA, instead portraying himself an advocate for international corporations. Trafficante Jr. was nonetheless a ruthless and old-school mob boss. Most mornings Trafficante spends a few hours at his modest wholesale automobile lot at the intersection of Dale Mabry Highway and W Broad Street. The other guys are two doctors, who say they'll testify if they're summoned to court. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. Episode 58: The Tampa Mafia- Santo Trafficante Jr - YouTube He was a well-respected boss, even among the far larger New York crime families. Born in Tampa, Florida in 1914, Trafficante hailed from a family already deeply involved in organized crime. Sign up for service and obituary updates. He will always be remembered with fondness. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Sam Giancana - Wikipedia Meet Santo Trafficante: The Silent Don Who Tried To Kill Fidel Castro And May Have Ordered JFKs Assassination. If the decision is upheld on appeal, charges against Trafficante may be dismissed. Our prayers are with you. He had a big heart and will be missed. Welcome to Boxer Cycle Works. Santo Trafficante Jr. (1914-1987) - Find a Grave Memorial Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. His uncle, the late Santo Trafficante Jr., was reputed to have been the boss of the local Mafia. The report was given to the District Attorney's office. love gloria "owens" hill. Trafficante Jr. controlled his Tampa-based crime network for over three decades. In 1975, the CIA declassified a report stating that Trafficante had been persuaded to poison Castro, an allegation he denied. President John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. Santo Trafficante grew up in the Florida underworld, working his father's gambling rackets and getting experience in the business. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. 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. There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. Trafficante would rather be force-fed raw carrot sticks for eternity than be seen talking to a reporter. 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. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Treasury Department History of Santo Trafficante Jr 1961 He has played golf with former New York Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles and former New York Islanders hockey player Clark Gillies. Many fond memories of Santo will continue with me. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. Share to let others add their own memories and condolences. After Cuban revolution, the Mafia saw Castro as a threat to their business. Chris and I will never forget Santo's presence at Leia's welcome home party. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. Santo Trafficante: Building the Family Business - Gangsters Inc Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. 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." This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. When you think of Florida and organized crime, it is difficult to avoid conjuring up images of Tony Montana in. Thanks for your help! But Santo knew who was behind the killing a rival Mafia faction. 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. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. "When I woke up, they told me they raided Key Bank. One of the last surviving mobsters from the Luciano era, he died of heart disease in a Houston, Texas, hospital in 1987. He walked outside and got into a 1951 Mercury sedan driven by one of his associates. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. [2] Trafficante Jr. would frequently meet with Lucchese in New York City for dinner.[2]. Santo Trafficante, Jr. was born in the United States on November 15, 1914, as one of five sons of Mafia boss Santo Trafficante. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. He drove a forklift for 20 years. The investigators were looking for proof of drug-money laundering. Please reset your password. 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. Now in his late 70s or early 80s, LoScalzo is reported to be retired. With that act, Santo Trafficante now reigned supreme in Tampa. Try again later. Pallbearers are Augie Castellana, Sam Paniello, Christopher Paniello, Anthony B. Marchese, Peter Marchese Jr., Ian Cordell, Don Smith, Frank Pancho Trafficante, John Castellana, and Dr. Santo Paniello. Josephine Marchese Trafficante "If my uncle knew I was talking to the press, Christ, he'd shoot me," Trafficante says, half-laughing. Trafficante tried to win Castro over to his side, but that didnt work. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Trafficante would be charged with bank fraud, perjury and disclosure of criminal investigation. "[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 sought treatment for stomach cancer and was ready to hand power over to a trusted lieutenant.