Saturday, January 20, 2018

Philip Rastelli Wake (1991)

Rastelli (1991)

Bonanno Boss Philip 'Rusty' Rastelli died June 24, 1991 at Booth Memorial Hospital in Flushing, Queens.

Wake held June 25-27, 1991 at Papavero Funeral Home in Maspeth, Queens. Majority of active Bonanno membership attended, along with representatives from other NY Families.

Photos from wake:







Not long after Rastelli's death, meeting called by Consigliere Anthony Spero to discuss succession. Meeting held at Staten Island residence of Capodecina Charles 'Little Charlie' Musillo. As expected Rastelli's Underboss, Joseph Massino, was suggested and promptly agreed to by all present.

At the time Massino was incarcerated at FCI Talladega, Alabama, serving a ten-year sentence for labor racketeering. Word of the meeting and its outcome reached Massino through former Colombo Captain Andrew Russo, incarcerated at the same facility. Russo requested Massino take a walk with him, during which he informed Massino of his new position and offered congratulations. Massino subsequently ordered his brother-in-law, Captain Salvatore Vitale, to discontinue visiting him at the prison in order to increase the chance of obtaining parole. The responsibility of handling Family affairs was given to Spero and Vitale until Massino's November 1992 release.

Partial List of Rastelli Wake Attendees:

- Anthony Spero (Bonanno Consigliere)

- Salvatore Avellino (Lucchese Capo)
- Peter Calabrese (Bonanno Acting Capo)
- Joseph Cammarano (Bonanno Capo)
- Michael Cardello (Bonanno Acting Capo)
- John D'Amico (Gambino Capo)
- Patrick DeFilippo (Bonanno Acting Capo)
- Rosario Gangi (Genovese Capo)
- John Gotti Jr. (Gambino Capo)
- Peter Gotti (Gambino Capo)
- Frank Lino (Bonanno Capo)
- Frank Porco (Bonanno Acting Capo)
- Louis Restivo (Bonanno Capo)
- Gerlando Sciascia (Bonanno Capo)
- James Tartaglione (Bonanno Capo)
- Salvatore Vitale (Bonanno Capo)

- Ignazio Alogna (Gambino Soldier)
- Joseph Benanti (Bonanno Soldier)
- Joseph Cammarano Jr. (Bonanno Soldier)
- Richard Cantarella (Bonanno Soldier)
- Charles Carneglia (Gambino Soldier)
- John Cavallo (Gambino Soldier)
- John Cerasani (Bonanno Soldier)
- Frank Coppa (Bonanno Soldier)
- Joseph Corozzo (Gambino Soldier)
- Joseph D'Amico (Bonanno Soldier)
- Joseph DeSimone (Bonanno Soldier)
- Thomas DiFiore (Bonanno Soldier)
- Salvatore DiSimone (Lucchese Soldier)
- Frank Federico (Lucchese Soldier)
- Edward Felline (Bonanno Soldier)
- James Galante (Bonanno Soldier)
- Vito Grimaldi (Bonanno Soldier)
- Robert Lino Jr. (Bonanno Soldier)
- Nicky Martino (Gambino Soldier)
- John Palazzolo (Bonanno Soldier)
- Dominick Pizzonia (Gambino Soldier)
- Pietro Rosa (Bonanno Soldier)
- Joseph Taglianetti (Bonanno Soldier)