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| August 1968 |
Passport Photo of Joseph 'Joe Marino' Sciglitano, Philadelphia's Captain in Chester, Pennsylvania during the 1960s-early 1970s.
Born April 17, 1895 in Seminara comune of Reggio Calabria, Sciglitano was living in Chester by 1934 where he and Philadelphia Member Demetrio 'Smart Money' Pennestri (1898-1961) ran a beer distributorship at 226 Lamokin St. Pennestri was identified in a 1958 FBI report as having been Underboss for Joe Bruno until an 'error of judgement' led to his demotion.
Pennestri was also from Reggio Calabria (Pellaro), along with the rest of the crew's known membership, many of whom were related by blood.
Joseph's younger brother Antonino (1902-1976), as well as a cousin of the same name (1927-2005), were members, as were in-laws James Gaglioti (1903-1967) and Santo 'Sam' Idone (1920-2005).
Additional members included Joseph Scalleat (1911-1993) from Hazleton, Dominick Festa (1897-1959) and Giuseppe 'Peppi / The Wolf' Perugino (1879-1949), who reports indicate may have been one of Chester's early crew leaders.
By 1964 Joseph Sciglitano had taken that role, overseeing his crew's activities while running a beer distribution firm with his brother Antonino.
He was identified in informant reports as part of the Family's Calabrian faction along with fellow Captain Nicholas Piccolo and Consigliere Joseph Rugnetta. Years later Rugnetta's nephew Dominic (1924-2021) was named as part of the Chester crew.
In early 1969 Joseph supported Family Consigliere Joseph Rugnetta and Capodecina Nicholas 'Nicky Buck' Piccolo in a dispute over the pending induction of new members. The conflict centered on a plan to have the ceremony occur in New Jersey. The Rugnetta side refused to attend a ceremony unless it was held in Philadelphia. An FBI member source reported: "[CI] believes [Boss Angelo] Bruno will contact members of Commission, LCN. [Underboss Ignazio] Denaro said that the reason Rugnetta, Sciglitano and Piccolo do not want to go to New Jersey was because they, all of whom are members of the Calabrian Group, Philadelphia LCN, have no candidate for induction." The ceremony is believed to have been called off and the various candidates inducted in following years.
Joseph Sciglitano died April 1971 while visiting the Calabrian comune of Palmi, located not far from his birthplace.
His nephew Tony Sciglitano may have briefly taken over as Captain. He was succeeded by Santo Idone.
