Born in Tampa, Florida in 1914, Trafficante hailed from a family already deeply involved in organized crime. [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. His son was turned away from a date's house and his daughter has been refused jobs. "[12] He said that Trafficante complained about the honesty of the Kennedys and their "attacks" on Jimmy Hoffa and other associates. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 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. So is Santo Jose Trafficante III a mobster? Chris and I will never forget Santo's presence at Leia's welcome home party. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? His luck has not improved recently. Try again later. Love, Jimmy Schaffer. [18] According to Ragano, he met Hoffa at the Teamsters' headquarters in Washington, DC, then delivered the message to Trafficante and Marcello in a meeting at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. Chronicles of Events and Biographies Related to the American Mafia. [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. Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. 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. Every so often I think of the Jekyll Island and White Lake, NC trip and laugh. Try again later. Santo Traficante Jr fue uno de los ltimos y mas poderosos capos de la mafia en Florida y Cuba. She was predeceased in death, by other loving family members. Mobster dies, two nations. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. 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. Email blog@themobmuseum.org. That arrest also led Cuban authorities to become warier of the mobster, especially as the political tides seemed to be turning there. TAMPA CRIME BOSS SANTO TRAFFICANTE JR PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN THRILLER MAFIA SPIES. 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. He allegedly controlled organized crime operations in Florida and Cuba To use this feature, use a newer browser. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Trafficante would be charged with bank fraud, perjury and disclosure of criminal investigation. Buy the time LoScalzo took over in 1987, the Trafficante Crime Family was far past its heyday. His business ventures have not always been successful. Early in Trafficantes federal court case in 1986, the judge declared a mistrial. [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. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. [1] Trafficante maintained several residences in New York City and Florida. 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. 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. "[12] Aleman claimed to have reported Trafficante's comments to his FBI contacts, who "dismissed the Kennedy warnings as gangland braggadocio. A year later they had their first son, Frank, born on April 16, 1910. Santo Trafficante was wanted in 48 states by the time he was 43. 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. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The charges of bank fraud against Trafficante and more than a dozen bank employees and customers may well be dismissed. 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. [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. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. He wears tasselled leather loafers without socks. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. He even sent his son, Santo Trafficante Junior, to New York, to gain a better understanding of how the mafia operated there. She misses him, but she's making do. "When my uncle visited it was like a family reunion. A A. We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. In February 2016, many of Trafficante's personal belongings were sold at an auction in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our thoughts and prayers with you. Share Santo's life story with friends and family. Santos married Josephine Marchese in 1938, they would have two daughters. 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. He grimaces at the thought that the rumor has persisted so long. Other Mafia leaders, as well as newer organized crime networks, took over many of the rackets the family ran throughout the 20th Century. Rosselli testified in 1975 to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on the efforts to kill Castro. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? "My wife's got money. She was a wonderful cook, and she loved to crochet and travel with her husband, but she lived her life for her family. For the U.S. government, it was a classic case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend.. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Despite all of this or, perhaps, because of it, a few writers and filmmakers have chosen to focus on organized crime, determined to give Tampa its due. [1] In 1997, further declassified documents indicated that some mafiosi worked with the agency on assassination attempts against Castro. 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. In addition, "on January 23, 1958 the Cuban Department of Investigation, Havana, Cuba notified the Bureau of Narcotics that Santo Trafficante was registered in their Alien Office under No. He was severed from that trial for medical reasons. We send our most sincere sympathies to the Trafficante family. My aim is to provide you with the best Service experience for you and your motorcycle. He convicted infamous criminal labor union head, Jimmy Hoffa. Until last year, the younger Trafficante had never been accused of anything more dramatic than bookmaking, a charge that a judge dismissed. She was the Matriarch of the Trafficante Family; and we will all miss her presence, guidance, love and affection. You and Santo will always have a special place in my heart. [13] He testified that he was brought into the plot by Roselli and Giancana, who had been recruited by Maheu. Trafficante scrambled out the passenger-side door. The wiretap evidence has been thrown out of court. I am sorry I am unable to attend the services due to a illness. 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. All the while, he lives in a palatial lakeside compound in rural northwest Hillsborough. Don Santo Trafficante Jr. the godfather from Tampa, Florida, USA. As we all know, he was right, and Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper in November 1963. Anthony Accardo & Santo Trafficante Jr - Labor Union Kickbacks (1977- 1981)https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/05/us/16-indicted-over-union-fund-use.htmlCredit:. While the senior Trafficante had been a major mobster in his own right, nobody could have expected the heights that were going to be reached by his son. I will never forget him as a fellow stroke survivor. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter of J.C. Valenti, who owned a thriving produce business. tampa crime boss santo trafficante jr plays a central role in thriller 'mafia spies' Bolita , Mob Hits , Scott M. Deitche , Tampa Mafia SANTO TRAFFICANTE SR, A 'Sicilian of the Old School,' RULED TAMPA'S UNDERWORLD FOR MORE THAN A DECADE! Their plans ranged from simply shooting him to having him smoke poisoned cigars or drinking a tainted milkshake. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood.Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. Trafficante was apprehended in November 1957, along with over 60 other mobsters, at the Apalachin meeting in Apalachin, New York. Santo was known to have been deeply involved in the CIA efforts to involve the underworld in assassination attempts on Fidel Castro. With over 30 years experience in the field of Mechanics, I will work with you on a personal basis, I will discuss with you your specific needs pertaining to your motorcycle. He died on March 17, 1987. Santo told the state attorney, I dont have an enemy in the world. We are one of them! All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. As law enforcement pressure increased on the Mafia in the late 1940s, Santo, fearing. Several were wounded. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Add to your scrapbook. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ex-FBI agent and later Howard Hughes aide Robert Maheu of Las Vegas was one of the primary go-betweens for Trafficante. So, who was this so-called Silent Don who wielded enough power to allegedly kill the President? "My kids suffered a lot by it," he says. In a final disappointment, he sold a filly named "Run Marisa Run" (after his daughter) for $7,500. Love and peace to you all. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. "Now when I walk in a bank," Trafficante says, "the president runs out the back door.". [3] His wife, Josephine, died in 2015 at the age of 95; he is survived by two of his daughters. Departed this Life May 13, 2015 But considering the fiercely anti-Soviet atmosphere of the Cold War, its not that hard to believe. 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. Pupello determined that his diabetic patient's arteries were healthy. One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. 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. Please reset your password. My prayers are with all of you. Santo Trafficante then categorically denied every allegation about stating he wanted RFK or JFK dead and got off scot-free. 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. But then came Key Bank, a massive drug-money-laundering investigation. The people of Tampa, especially the ones still around to remember those days still feel a duty of sorts to keep quite of these things, as if these people are still amongst us and can hear our chatter. But the news was not good on the Key Bank front. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. Try again later. While the plot never came to fruition, Trafficante later testified that he did help the CIA recruit other mobsters for the surreal plot. He owned a West Tampa restaurant called Cafe Sevilla. 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 . 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. Son of Santo Trafficante and Maria Giuseppa Trafficante Resend Activation Email. Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Trafficante was a ruthless mob boss, and quickly consolidated control over the criminal networks in Tampa. Batista let Trafficante and other mobsters build as many casinos and hotels as they wanted in exchange for a cash kickback. And despite relatively small time beginnings, Trafficante proved to be a shrewd mobster. Trafficantes partnership with Batista was profitable for both parties and so the mobsters fate became inextricably tied to that of Cubas political climate. When the CIA decided to recruit the Mob in their efforts to assassinate Fidel Castro, they went to see Trafficante. Daughters: Mary Josephine Sarah Ann Brothers: Frank, Salvatore (Sam), Epifanio and Enrico (Henry) Uncle: Joseph M. CACCIATORE (convicted narcotic trafficker) CRIMINAL HISTORY: Brother of Frank Cacciatore Trafficante; Private and Private. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. But before Trafficante testified, someone conveniently killed Roselli. THE HIT THAT EXPOSED SOME OF TAMPAS ELITE. Trafficante was born in Tampa, Florida, to Sicilian parents Santo Trafficante Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. Please allow 24 hours for your entry to be reviewed for appropriate content. After a lifetime in organized crime, Trafficante Jr. died of national causes in 1987. The men started to drive away when another sedan drove past the Mercury, the occupants unloading a blast of buckshot as they passed. love gloria "owens" hill. Learn more about merges. Santo was one of the FBIs targets in that case. Sorry! [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. He is just a businessman, he says, his money tied up in wholesale automobiles, an orange grove and real estate. Born in Tampa, Florida to Sicilian parents Mafia don Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore. TRAFFICANTE, Santo Jose, 72, of Tampa, passed away July 13, 2010, To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our, All my Love to the family Michael R. Tartaro. Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his fathers footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida Many of the familys gangsters were in prison, or too old to be effective. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. That horse won $161,080 for its new owners, according to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders Association. I will always remember your perseverance, happiness and smiles at Marisa's wedding. 93461.". Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista in Washington, D.C. in 1938. He attended a notorious convention of Mafia bosses held in the upstate New York town of Apalachin on November 14, 1957. He maintained close working ties with the Lucchese crime family and the Bonanno crime family from New York City. This was proven in 1953 when he eliminated the last contender to the Tampa mob throne: Joe Antinori, son of the late Ignacio. He had a big heart and will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to your family. While he had several close calls with law enforcement including the famed FBI Donnie Brasco investigation he never spent a single day of his life in jail. The glamorous casino in the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Havana in 1958. The first case stemmed from the FBIs well-known Donnie Brasco undercover sting operation. 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. Bankruptcy court documents show that Trafficante is owed $500,000 by a business partner. Now he owns a 210-acre orange grove in southern Hillsborough. When his father died in 1954 he took control of these establishments. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? "They wouldn't even let me go to the track. This is a carousel with slides. Year should not be greater than current year. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Afterwards, the son he had groomed to take his place, Santo Trafficante Jr., took the reins of the Trafficante crime family. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. 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.