Update

1. Gambino Family Ceremonies (1970s) [Gambino]

Compared to the Bonanno and Colombo Families, there isn't much information on Gambino ceremonies from the time period. I'm posting now with what's currently available and will be adding to it as more comes in. Similar posts to follow on Genovese/Lucchese.

Gambino Family Ceremonies (1970s)

Brief descriptions, in chronological order, of known Gambino Family induction ceremonies from the 1970s.

Dates are approximate and usually indicate when news of the induction was first reported to LE, not necessarily when the ceremony itself took place. It's possible some names listed separately were made together and news of their membership got out at different times.

===

c. Late January / Early February 1976
- Books open. Each Family initially allowed ten members.

On February 12, 1976 CI reported: "Gambino's have not made new membership as of 2/9/76 due to large number of candidates but initiation imminent."

First wave included:

DeCicco

- Frank DeCicco (40y) (Murdered 1986) [Sponsored by J. Failla]
- Nine Additional Inductees

===

c. Early May 1976

Corrao

- Joseph 'Joe Butch' Corrao (40y) (Died 2001) [Sponsored by D. Castore]

===

May 14, 1976

- "[CI] advised the ban on introducing newly made members to members of other Families has been lifted." CI reports Carlo Gambino 'recently made ten'.

===

c. Early June 1976

LaForte

- Joseph 'The Cat' LaForte (59y) (Died 2016) [Sponsored by A. Dellacroce]

===

June 8, 1976

- "[CI] advised the LCN membership books continue to be open. He mentioned the original plan was to make only ten new members per Family. However, the larger Families complained this number is too few and favored the smaller Families."

===

July 1, 1976

- "[CI] advised there were no 'geeps' (ie foreign born Italians) made in the recent induction of members into the NY LCN Families."

===

September 14, 1976

- "When new members are 'made' or intra-Family transfers are effected, either the Boss or Underboss must personally oversee such an occasion and make the formal introduction to the respective captains."

===

1976
- Louis 'Louie Fats' Astuto (46y) (Died 1994) [Sponsored by J. Failla]
- John Gambino (36y) (Died 2017)

- Salvatore Spatola (44y) [Sponsored by J. Gambino]

Astuto likely candidate for first wave. As an associate he was already close to Family leadership and occasionally chauffeured Boss Carlo Gambino.

CW Gravano stated John Gambino may have been another of the first recruits inducted in early 1976. His recall with dates wasn't perfect however, and he admitted he wasn't certain that Gambino was made before he (Gravano) was.

===

c. Late 1976

Location: Basement of Gagliardi Residence (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)

Attendees:
- Paul Castellano (61y) (Boss) [Murdered 1985]
- Aniello Dellacroce (62y) (Underboss) [Died 1985]
- Joseph N. Gallo (64y) (Consigliere) [Died 1995]

- Salvatore Aurello (62y) (Captain) [Died 1998]
- Others

Members Inducted:
- Charles Aurello (33y) (Died 2018) [Sponsored by S. Aurello]
- Salvatore 'Sammy Bull' Gravano (31y) (Flipped 1991) [Sponsored by S. Aurello]
- Several Additional Inductees

Gravano: "I was called to Todo [Aurello]'s club. We went to somebody's house, a fellow named Frank the Wap [Gagliardi], we were upstairs, there was a few other fellows there. One by one they called us down to the basement. When it was my turn to go down to the basement there was the Boss, the Underboss, the Consigliere, a few Capos, a few made members, and I took the oath at that point to become a made member."

===

c. Late 1976 / Early 1977

Gotti

- Gene Gotti (30y)

===

March 3, 1977

- "[CI] advised each of the five NY LCN Families have been given authorization to initiate ten new members, and each of the NY Families have already prepared a list of those individuals to be 'made' in the immediate future."

===

April 1977

L to R: Agro, Corozzo, DiMaria

- Thomas 'Tommy A.' Agro (45y) (Died 1987) [Sponsored by J. Armone]

- Nicholas Corozzo (37y) [Sponsored by A. Ruggiano]
- Leonard DiMaria (36y) [Sponsored by A. Dellacroce]
- Frank 'Frankie the Hat' DiStefano (40y) [Sponsored by J. Armone]

When the books opened Nicholas Corozzo's sponsor, Anthony 'Fat Andy' Ruggiano, initially refused to put up any of his crew. It was later decided that only his favored associate Corozzo would be proposed. Around this time Ruggiano, a Soldier under Carmine Fatico, had volunteered Corozzo and fellow Ruggiano crew member Leonard DiMaria to 'do work' for Fatico and others.

After Gene Gotti's induction Ruggiano brought an unspecified complaint to Underboss Aniello Dellacroce. Full details aren't given but the implication is Ruggiano was offended that Gotti had been made before his own candidate. Soon after Dellacroce informed Ruggiano that Corozzo was set to be inducted and, furthermore, Dellacroce himself would sponsor Leonard DiMaria as a 'gift' to Ruggiano.

===

May 15, 1977

- CI reports 'the books in the Gambino Family are again opened'.

===

May 20, 1977

- "CI advised despite popular belief that only full-blooded Italians are admitted to LCN membership, many members have mothers who may be only part Italian. He noted, however, if a proposed member's father is not Italian, he would be barred from membership, since an Italian name is an absolute requirement."

===

c. Mid-June 1977
- Robert 'Bobby Cabert' Bisaccia (42y) (Died 2008) [Sponsored by F. Corsi]

===

June 24, 1977
- Gregory DePalma (45y) (Died 2009) [Sponsored by A. Gaggi]
- Several Additional Inductees

===

c. Pre-July 1977
- Roy DeMeo (36y) (Murdered 1983) [Sponsored by A. Gaggi]

===

c. Early October 1977
- Unsub [Sponsored by J. Armone]

===

October 1977

Bilotti

- Thomas Bilotti (37y) (Murdered 1985)

===

c. Late October 1977
- John Gotti (37y) (Died 2002) [Sponsored by C. Fatico?]
- Peter Mosca (44y)
- Seven Additional Inductees

Reported 11/4/77. CI claimed Gotti's sponsor was Anthony Ruggiano, not Fatico.

===

c. 1977

L to R: DiBernardo, Ruggiero

- Robert 'D.B.' DiBernardo (40y) (Murdered 1986) [Sponsored by E. Zappi]
- Angelo Ruggiero (37y) (Died 1989)

===

April 6, 1978

- "[CI] advised that there has been a delay in new LCN members being made in the NYC area because of the ill health of Joe N. Gallo and 'Vinnie Beans' Foceri, the Consiglieri's of the Gambino and Lucchese Families of LCN."

===

c. 1978
- Armand 'Buddy' Dellacroce (23y) (Died 1988)
- Anthony Vitta (40y) (Died 2018) [Sponsored by J. Armone]

Information re Dellacroce's membership was unknowingly passed on to an FBI source (possibly UCA Donnie Brasco) by Bonanno Soldier Anthony Mirra. Dellacroce was again identified as a made member by a Gambino source in early 1980.

===

Pre-1980 (L to R): Corrao, LiConti, Richichi

c. Mid-to-Late 1970s (Confirmed Inducted Pre-1980)
- Joseph Bilotti (45y) (Died 2016)
- John Carneglia (35y) [Sponsored by A. Ruggiero]
- Augustus 'Augie' Corrao (44y) (Died 2010)
- John 'Jackie Nose' D'Amico (45y) [Sponsored by O. Garofalo]
- Joseph 'Pal Joey' Farinella (48y) (Died 2001)
- Salvatore Franco (40y)
- John 'Jack' Giordano (35y) (Died 2009)
- Joseph Giordano (30y) (Died 2013)
- Michael 'Mikey Gal' Guerrieri (50y) (Died 2014) [Sponsored by A. Guerrieri]
- Joseph 'Buddy' LaForte Jr. (37y)
- Charles 'Buster Russo' LiConti (60y) (Died 1995) [Sponsored by E. Zappi]
- Joseph 'Joe Dogs' Lombardi (38y) [Sponsored by J. Failla]
- Salvatore Mangialino (40y) (Died 2019)
- Daniel Marino (38y)
- Liborio 'Louie' Milito (35y) (Murdered 1988) [Sponsored by S. Aurello]
- Michael 'Mickey' Paradiso (40y) [Sponsored by O. Garofalo]
- Anthony 'Porky' Porcelli (50y) (Died 2009) [Sponsored by J. Zingaro]
- Natale 'Big Chris' Richichi (60y) (Died 2001) [Sponsored by E. Zappi]

- Joey Russo (Died c. 1986)

- Joseph C. Russo (48y) (Died 1998) [Sponsored by J. Riccobono]
- Thomas 'Tommy Sparrow' Spinelli (65y) (Murdered 1989)
- Unsub [Related to Guerrieri brothers]
- Many others

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Edit1: Added Salvatore Franco, known to Gravano as a made member prior to 1980. Credit to Pogo for providing this info.

Edit2: Added John D'Amico, Joseph Farinella, John and Joseph Giordano.

Edit3: Added CI report excerpts.

Edit4: Added Daniel Marino and Anthony Porcelli.

Edit5: Added Robert Bisaccia.

Edit6: Moved Robert Bisaccia to mid-June 1977.

Edit7: Added Joey and Joseph Russo.

Photo: Nicholas Accardi

Circa 1977 photo of Bonanno Soldier Nicholas Accardi.

Currently there's only enough information for a brief outline:

Born December 27, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Leonard and Lena Petardi. Family from Marsala comune of Trapani, Sicily.

By 1935 the Accardis resided at 54 Montrose Ave in Williamsburg. Both parents worked at a coat factory.

By early 1942 they had moved to an address on Willoughby Ave in Bushwick.

By 1978 resided at 130 Hayrick Lane in Commack, Long Island. Partner with Bonanno Capodecina Philip Giaccone in AIR Freight Transportation headquartered at 333 North Henry in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Both men were targets in an FBI investigation of racketeering activities occurring out of JFKIA.

It's not known whether he was inducted prior to the books closing in 1979 or if he was among the former Giaccone associates made after the books reopened in 1984. After the three captains hit Giaccone's airport interests, and the portion of his crew actively involved in same, were inherited by Joseph Massino.

Accardi's name does not turn up in available sources again until March 1999, when he was among the few dozen Bonanno members and associates surveilled attending the wake of former Capodecina Gerlando Sciascia in White Plains.

The following month FBI surveillance was conducted on Massino's CasaBlanca Restaurant in Maspeth, Queens. Those observed included Bonanno Capodecina Anthony Urso and Soldiers Nicholas Accardi, Alfred Altadonna, Louis DeCicco, Thomas DiFiore and Louis Restivo.

In July 1999 attended wake for Bonanno Soldier Gasper 'Skin' Cammarata, another former Giaccone crew member.

Died January 20, 2002 and buried in Riverside Memorial Park located in Martin County, Florida.

Edit1: Updated bio details.

Bio: Biagio Passanante

Biagio Passanante was a made member of the Philadelphia Family.

Born October 28, 1883 in Campobello di Mazara comune of Trapani, Sicily to Bartolomeo Passanante and Grazia Indelicato. Godparents were Gaspare Pietranocosta and Tommasa Firenze.

Around August 1903 arrived at Ellis Island aboard S.S. Sicilian Prince.

Around September 1907 married Rosa Maggio in Philadelphia. At time of marriage Passanante listed residence at 920 South 6th St in South Philadelphia, where employed as general laborer. [Some records, including the marriage certificate, give Cecola as Rosa's maiden name. There were Cecalas/Cecolas, from Caccamo in Palermo, living in Philadelphia at the time. This may have been a a mistaken reference to another individual of the same name. Subsequent records confirm Biagio's wife as a Maggio. Several members of this family, also from Campobello di Mazara, would be influential LCN members in the region.]

By Summer 1916 left Philadelphia for Boston where a son, Bartolomeo, was born.

By September 1918 moved to 310 Lincoln Ave in Bristol, Pennsylvania, situated along the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey. Ran a grocery from same address.

Although the date of Biagio Passanante's induction is unknown, given his age and relationship to the Maggios he was possibly already a member by 1921. Early that year he was arrested, under alias Leo DiBartholomeo, by the Philadelphia PD for narcotics possession, his first of two known local charges. At the time he gave an address at 835 Christian St in South Philadelphia. Held on $2,500 bail and officially indicted in February 1921, the case ended in acquittal the following month.

By September 1926 resided at 981 Montrose St. That month he filed Petition for Naturalization No. 78 327 in USDC Philadelphia. Witnesses were Domenico Caimi (DOB 6.21.1895 - DOD 12.1981) and Joseph Luppino (7.26.1897 - 2.1956), a chemist and bookkeeper respectively. Both were also from Campobello di Mazara, and both gave the same address of 1166 South 11th St. Passanante became a naturalized citizen on February 25, 1927.

By 1930s resided at 917 South 8th St and operated Red Devil tavern in vicinity Montrose St and South 8th St. Ostensibly a coffee shop, the location was also used as a delivery point for bootleg whiskey purchased from Philadelphia LCN members Frederico and Joseph Lagana. Said to have operated stills in Trenton and Vineland, New Jersey. [An article in the Vineland Evening Times states Passanante resided in Vineland for a time, a claim repeated by one of the FBI's member sources years later.]

May have been involved in shylocking on behalf of Antonio Pollina, who later served as the Family's Acting Boss. Asked about this years later, an FBI member source (possibly Harry Riccobene) gave this response: "[CI] laughed and said if anything, Passanante owed the loansharks considerable amounts of money as he frequently borrowed from them." This source did describe Passanante as 'friend' to Pollina. (The Caccamo-born Pollina's mother was a Cecala, indicating a potential connection to Passanante; as noted above, some early records list Biagio's wife as Rosa Cecola.)

On May 24, 1939 indicted on Federal bootlegging charge. Fined $2,500. A similar indictment the following year gives no disposition.

As told by an FBI source years later, around 1941 a territorial dispute occurred between Passanante and Philadelphia Capodecina Gaetano Scafidi. Passanante sought to operate a card game out of his tavern. Scafidi wanted the same for his own business located nearby at 909 South 8th. A sitdown arbitrated by Marco Reginelli ended in Scafidi's favor as, the source noted, 'Scafidi did not have a lot of money and Passanante was well off financially'.

On July 14, 1942 arrested by Philadelphia PD on disorderly conduct charge. Case dismissed. Final arrest on record.

Died in South Philadelphia on February 12, 1946. Wake held at Leonetti's Funeral Home on Broad Street. Proceedings then moved to Bristol, where a Mass was held at St. Ann's Church, then over to Greenwood Cemetery near Trenton for burial.

Bio: Joseph Cocchiaro

Joseph Cocchiaro was a made member of the DeCavalcante Family.

Born March 6, 1893 in Ribera comune of Agrigento, Sicily.

On November 9, 1912 arrived at Ellis Island aboard S.S. Canada. Listed occupation as farmer - laborer and gave destination as residence of cousin in Chicago.

There is no further information as yet on Cocchiaro's connections to Chicago, or how long he stayed there. He is one of several DeCavalcante members from Ribera who turn up in the area pre-1930.

On May 13, 1922 Cocchiaro and Nellie Spinella/Spinelli (22y) were married in Elizabeth, New Jersey by Mayor Victor Mravlag. The bride was born 1905 in Russellville, Alabama. Witnesses were James Spinelli and Mary Gudemme (25y). The couple resided at 625 South St in Elizabeth with a brief period possibly spent in Rahway, New Jersey around Fall 1926, when a daughter was born.

Believed to have been an inducted member by 1920s.

In 1937 he joined Local 394 Hod Carriers Union headquartered in Elizabeth.

In March 1937 indicted by USAO on charges operation of an unlicensed still. Around May 1937 convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment and $100 fine.

Served sentence at Essex County Penitentiary in Caldwell, New Jersey from June 29, 1937 to November 27, 1937.

In December 1940 fingerprinted as result of recently passed Alien Registration Act. Gave address at 607 Third Ave in Elizabeth.

On August 22, 1941 filed Petition for Naturalization No. 21 220 in Union County Common Pleas Court. Witnesses were Elizabeth residents Frank Maranca (48y), from San Giovanni Gemini in Agrigento, and fellow Riberesi Vito Oliveri (DOB 9.18.1893 - DOD 7.1954). Naturalized in 1944.

A later report indicates he remarried around April 1942.

By 1958 listed residence at 422 Cherry St in Elizabeth.

In 1959 moved to 201 Third Ave in East Northport, Long Island. His son John and son-in-law Nick Samaritano were involved in the local garbage disposal business in association with VJS Sanitation Service. (Company officers were Joseph Colletti, Gennaro Sortino and Vito Ales. Colletti, also residing in East Northport at the time, was son to DeCav Capodecina Giacomo Colletti and became a made member himself in 1976.)

By 1960 Cocchiaro had moved back to Elizabeth, first at 39 Elm St, then to 344 Union Ave and finally at 471 Irvington Ave where he would remain. He continued employment with Local 394 as part of what one informant later called the local's 'ruling faction'. He was also a mainstay at the Ribera Club at corner of John St and Third Ave, a longtime Family meeting spot.

On February 23, 1965 DeCav Capodecina Joseph Sferra visited Family Boss Sam DeCavalcante at the latter's place of business in Kenilworth, New Jersey. The meeting was surreptitiously recorded by an FBI bug in place since the previous August. It was during this conversation that Cocchiaro's status as a made member first became known. A report summarized: "[DeCavalcante] informed Joseph Sferra [of] 'our meeting' for Joe Cocchiaro. DeCavalcante stated that 'the guy', apparently referring to [Cocchiaro], got out of hand to the point where DeCavalcante had to lace into him for failure to show the proper respect, apparently since DeCavalcante is younger than many of the people who attended this meeting. DeCavalcante pointed out that he had bawled out these people and pointed out to them that after all DeCavalcante's father had 'made' some of these people."

Despite the long-running FBI bug and information received from various informants, little information is available to clarify DeCavalcante crew breakdowns from this era. Joseph Cocchiaro may have been under Sferra, necessitating the above conversation, or with Giacomo Colletti's regime given the business and probable blood/marriage ties. Cocchiaro and Colletti both married Spinelli's and were frequently observed in each other's company both at the daily Ribera Club visits and at various Family events.

In early 1967 the FBI reported on a potential family link to the more well known DeCavalcante Family Cocchiaros, stating Joseph was a possible uncle to Capodecina Frank Cocchiaro. The report noted that the two Cocchiaros were nevertheless not known to associate.

By 1971 retired from Local 394. In August applied for and received US Passport for purpose of travel to Ribera. Returned around March 1972.

No further activity on Cocchiaro's part is noted. Likely present at the December 5, 1976 Family meetings held to announce John Riggi as the official Acting Boss. He died March 1979 and was buried in Rosedale and Rosehill Cemetery located in Linden, New Jersey.

Chicago Photos (Pt 1)

A group of Chicago photos showed up with something unrelated. I don't have much interest in the Outfit so I'll be posting the entirety by sections. Looks to be from the early-mid 1970s. A lot of these are probably already available elsewhere online. The majority were already labeled.

Unlabeled:

Row 1: Accardo; Aiuppa; Alex; Angelini; Campise

Row 2: Carusiello; Cerone; Cortina

Row 3: Eboli