Born October 3, 1891 in Vita comune of Trapani, Sicily.
On October 10, 1911 arrived at Ellis Island aboard S.S. Berlin.
By 1920 resided with wife Antoinette Spano (22y) at 547 Camden St in Newark, New Jersey. Listed occupation as tailor.
On March 2, 1921 filed Declaration of Intention in USDC Newark. Initially denied citizenship due to an earlier exemption from military service claim.
On December 2, 1924 became naturalized US citizen in USDC Newark.
By 1930 resided at 2069 Stanley Terrace in Union, New Jersey.
Likely a made member by 1930. Given his Trapani origins he may have been part of the Newark Family prior to its disbandment.
Visited Sicily during Summer 1933.
By 1942 listed employment with Varsity Clothing Company at 211 Grand Ave in Newark.
Around 1947 moved to San Jose, California, settling at 1228 East Hamilton. Transferred membership to the local Family then under leadership of Onofrio Sciortino.
By early 1950s believed served as the Family's Consigliere. Subsequently replaced by Thomas Nicosia.
Around 1955 Scavuzzo left San Jose for Denair, a small town located about twelve miles outside Modesto. Resided at 12091 E. Whitemore Ave where he owned a peach orchard.
With other Family members helped fund Joseph Cerrito's Fall 1957 trip to Apalachin.
By 1960 Cerrito had succeeded Onofrio Sciortino as Boss of the Family. Known membership numbered less than forty and was primarily Sicilian, with a small but influential group of Calabrese transplanted from Pennsylvania in the 1940s.
Although small in number and comprised mostly of aged and inactive members, the San Jose Family nonetheless experienced increased Federal scrutiny in the early 1960s, leading to the FBI's successful development of at least three member informants. Reports from these sources provide what little information exists on Anthony Scavuzzo's LCN connections.
The CIs identified Scavuzzo as part of the Family's Modesto crew. Others in the group included Frank Buffa, Leo Cusenza and Angelo Giammona. Prior to his death in 1961, Leo's father Joseph Cusenza was the local Capodecina.
By Summer 1962 Scavuzzo sold his peach orchard and moved closer to San Jose, residing at 138 Kilmer Ave in Campbell. He worked part-time 'in a janitorial capacity' for his son's Steak House restaurant at 2367 El Camino Rd in Santa Clara.
On July 27, 1962 Scavuzzo and Underboss Charles 'Stanley' Carbone visited Salvatore Marino, a former Captain, at Marino's California Cheese Company in San Jose. An FBI bug active in the main office picked up only innocuous personal gossip.
During November 1962 spent three weeks visiting family in Newark.
On January 15, 1963 interviewed by FBI at the Steak House: "..Scavuzzo noted that his venture as a farmer near Modesto had been quite unsuccessful and except for [family] he would presently be in dire financial condition. Scavuzzo denied being personally acquainted with any individuals at [SJ] who to his knowledge have ever been involved in any illegal activity. He was questioned concerning his acquaintanceship with the Italian-Sicilian Organization at [SJ], and except for Emanuel Figlia, maintained he was not acquainted with any other individuals mentioned. Concerning Figlia he advised that he had met the Figlia family some years ago [when Scavuzzo and Figlia family members engaged]. Scavuzzo stated this engagement was broken off and he has never had contact with the Figlia family subsequent to that time period. He further expressed the opinion that [his relative] was indeed fortunate the engagement had been broken, since he, Scavuzzo, did not hold the Figlia family in very high esteem. In this connection he stated he was not aware of any illegal activity in which any of the Figlias engaged, but he considered them to be uncouth in every sense of the word."
Attended July 12, 1964 wedding reception for daughter of Boss Joseph Cerrito held at St. Clair Hotel in San Jose. Nearly the entire Family was in attendance. The San Francisco Family was represented by Underboss Gaspare 'Bill' Sciortino.
By 1965 resided with son at 1106 Buchanan Drive in Santa Clara.
On October 20, 1967 visited in Santa Clara by Vincenzo Infusino, San Francisco's Capodecina in Modesto. Shortly thereafter Scavuzzo and wife departed for a month long stay in New Jersey.
In November 1968 attended rosary for brother of Captain Angelo Marino.
In May 1969 visited in Santa Clara by Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, a Genovese Soldier from Newark.
In February 1970 Scavuzzo and his son-in-law voluntarily appeared at the FBI's Regional Agency office in San Jose. He admitted friendship with Vincenzo Infusino and Frank Buffa but denied knowing Thomas Pecora; he described their meeting the previous May as pure happenstance.
In Summer 1973 visited family in Sicily.
By 1975 the San Jose Family had fallen to just over twenty confirmed members. The majority, Scavuzzo included, had been more or less inactive for well over a decade. In May of that year Scavuzzo was noted attending another Family related social function. He is not mentioned in further reports.
Died January 10, 1986 and buried in Santa Clara's Mission City Memorial Park.
