Joseph 'Joe Curly' Agone was a member of the Genovese Family.
Born June 30, 1913 in Manhattan to Silvio (32y) and Mary Galore (28y). Family from Ciminna comune of Palermo, Sicily.
By September 1918 the Agones resided at 7 E 3rd St in East Village, Manhattan. Joseph's father worked for a stevedore company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey.
First arrested in 1929.
On January 3, 1931 married Angelina Raccuglia (17y) in Manhattan.
By Summer 1934 they resided at 332 Hart St in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Listed occupation as truck helper.
By 1935 listed employment as office clerk with Ross Trucking Company on Mulberry St in Manhattan's Little Italy.
On November 4, 1935 armed robbery committed on Ansonia Bootery at Broadway and 51st in Manhattan's Theater District.
Four days later robbers stole $12,000 from Pickslay & Co. jewelry store at 338 Park Ave in Midtown.
The following morning, at approximately 1:30 AM, Agone and two others were charged with the Pickslay robbery. Co-defendants were Joseph Lapi (22y), a future Genovese Captain, and East Village resident Harry Landino (22y). The trio, also suspected of having carried out the Ansonia Bootery job, pleaded not guilty before West Side Court Judge Louis Brodsky and were held without bail pending a hearing on November 12.
On that date they were cleared of suspicion in the Ansonia case when shop manager Murray Kolman failed to make positive ID.
The defendants subsequently pleaded guilty to armed robbery 3rd degree in the Pickslay case. On January 8, 1936 each was given a sentence of nine-to-eighteen years by Manhattan General Sessions Judge Koenig. The following day they arrived at Sing Sing Prison.
By April 1940 Agone had been transferred further upstate to Clinton Prison in Dannemora.
As of May 1943 he was paroled and residing at 299 Stockton St in Bed-Stuy.
On August 24, 1950 he filed for divorce against his first wife in Garland Chancery Court in Arkansas.
In 1959 married Nancy Ann DiChiara in Manhattan.
He was by then a formally inducted member of the Genovese Family and may have been reporting to Capodecina Vincenzo 'Jimmy Alto' Altomari in Lower Manhattan.
Others believed reporting to Altomari at the time included Agone's former co-defendant Joseph 'Joe Beck' Lapi.
On December 9, 1960 among six picked up for consorting in Manhattan. Those held were Genovese Acting Underboss Anthony 'Tony Bender' Strollo, Colombo Soldier Joseph Gallo and Genovese Soldiers Joseph Agone, Philip 'Philly Katz' Albanese, Frank 'The Bug' Caruso and George 'Flip' Filippone.
The group, apprehended while having coffee in the rear of Luna's Restaurant on Mulberry St, was initially sought for questioning in the car bombing murder of loanshark Kenneth Feinberg (26y) the previous day in Forest Hills, Queens. Magistrate Vincent P. Rao threw out the consorting charge.
Around March 1961 Agone, then Business Organizer for Local 5 Amalgamated Workers Union, was designated the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.
Born June 30, 1913 in Manhattan to Silvio (32y) and Mary Galore (28y). Family from Ciminna comune of Palermo, Sicily.
By September 1918 the Agones resided at 7 E 3rd St in East Village, Manhattan. Joseph's father worked for a stevedore company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey.
First arrested in 1929.
On January 3, 1931 married Angelina Raccuglia (17y) in Manhattan.
By Summer 1934 they resided at 332 Hart St in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Listed occupation as truck helper.
By 1935 listed employment as office clerk with Ross Trucking Company on Mulberry St in Manhattan's Little Italy.
On November 4, 1935 armed robbery committed on Ansonia Bootery at Broadway and 51st in Manhattan's Theater District.
Four days later robbers stole $12,000 from Pickslay & Co. jewelry store at 338 Park Ave in Midtown.
The following morning, at approximately 1:30 AM, Agone and two others were charged with the Pickslay robbery. Co-defendants were Joseph Lapi (22y), a future Genovese Captain, and East Village resident Harry Landino (22y). The trio, also suspected of having carried out the Ansonia Bootery job, pleaded not guilty before West Side Court Judge Louis Brodsky and were held without bail pending a hearing on November 12.
On that date they were cleared of suspicion in the Ansonia case when shop manager Murray Kolman failed to make positive ID.
The defendants subsequently pleaded guilty to armed robbery 3rd degree in the Pickslay case. On January 8, 1936 each was given a sentence of nine-to-eighteen years by Manhattan General Sessions Judge Koenig. The following day they arrived at Sing Sing Prison.
By April 1940 Agone had been transferred further upstate to Clinton Prison in Dannemora.
As of May 1943 he was paroled and residing at 299 Stockton St in Bed-Stuy.
On August 24, 1950 he filed for divorce against his first wife in Garland Chancery Court in Arkansas.
In 1959 married Nancy Ann DiChiara in Manhattan.
He was by then a formally inducted member of the Genovese Family and may have been reporting to Capodecina Vincenzo 'Jimmy Alto' Altomari in Lower Manhattan.
Others believed reporting to Altomari at the time included Agone's former co-defendant Joseph 'Joe Beck' Lapi.
On December 9, 1960 among six picked up for consorting in Manhattan. Those held were Genovese Acting Underboss Anthony 'Tony Bender' Strollo, Colombo Soldier Joseph Gallo and Genovese Soldiers Joseph Agone, Philip 'Philly Katz' Albanese, Frank 'The Bug' Caruso and George 'Flip' Filippone.
The group, apprehended while having coffee in the rear of Luna's Restaurant on Mulberry St, was initially sought for questioning in the car bombing murder of loanshark Kenneth Feinberg (26y) the previous day in Forest Hills, Queens. Magistrate Vincent P. Rao threw out the consorting charge.
Around March 1961 Agone, then Business Organizer for Local 5 Amalgamated Workers Union, was designated the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.
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| Forlano (L) and Stein (R) (1961) |
On November 16, 1961 FBI CI reported: “[CI] advised that Ruby Stein, Jiggs Forlano, and Joe Curley (Joseph Agone) were meeting every Monday to conduct business at the El Borracho Night Club.” (Nicholas 'Jiggs' Forlano was then a Colombo Soldier. Stein, on-record with Forlano, later transferred to the Genovese Family and was murdered in 1977 by the West Side Irish Mob or Westies).
On January 16, 1962 FBI CI reported: “[CI] advised [Joseph] Agone is a labor racketeer who acts in a protector capacity for the labor organizations of [Redacted].”
On March 8, 1962 FBI reported: "..Informant information alleges Joseph Straci and Joseph Agone act as 'protectors' and exert influence in several NY local unions." (Straci was a Genovese Soldier in the Family's Harlem crew.)
On May 2, 1962 Genovese Soldier Michael 'Mike the Loader' Clemente was visited by Colombo Soldiers Salvatore J. Profaci and Robert Barbieri. An FBI bug recorded the trio discussing, among other topics, Joseph Agone's involvement in labor racketeering.
On September 1962 FBI CW Joseph Valachi was interviewed re various LCN members: "...Joseph Agone: known to him as Joe Curly, Valachi named Agone as a member under Rosario Mogavero, whom he calls Saro, a caporegima in the Genovese Family."
On October 8, 1962 Joseph Valachi was shown a photograph of Agone: “Known to Valachi as Joe Curly, a union racketeer close to Joseph Lapi aka Joe Beck. Valachi stated that they were both in the Genovese Family under Rosario Mogavero.”
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| R. Mogavero (FBN Mafia Book) |
By Fall 1962 made members of Rosario Mogavero's crew included Joseph Agone, Philip Albanese, Joseph 'Little Carlo' Calabro, Frank Caruso, Michael Clemente, Carmelo 'Charlie Bananas' Coppolino, Albert DiStefano, George Filippone, Louis 'Louie Healthy' Gaccione, Salvatore 'Salvie' Gencarelli, Louis 'Louie the Hood' Georgiano, Joseph Lapi and Saro's brother Joseph Mogavero.
On December 27, 1962 Agone's LCN membership was further confirmed to the FBI through CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier murdered the following year after his informant status became known.
On January 7, 1964 FBI CI reported: “[CI] advised that he is not a member of Cosa Nostra, but has associated with members or ‘made guys’ as he calls them all of his life...he considers the following persons either made or not made and he considers them to be with the particular Family he designates...12. Joseph Agone aka Joe Curley [in Genovese Family].”
On January 24, 1964 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that he has known [Redacted] as one of the toughest members of the Jewish 'combination' who has, through the years, been respected by and closely associated with many of the Italian hoodlum element in Lower Manhattan. Among this group whom [Redacted] knew well are Rocky Midnight, Joe Curly [Agone] and Joe Beck [Lapi]."
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| Gene Catena (L) and Thomas Pecora (R) |
On February 17, 1964 Genovese Captain Gene Catena was visited by a crew member, Soldier Thomas 'Timmy Murphy' Pecora, in New Jersey. An FBI bug recorded the pair discussing, among other topics, a union dispute re Lasky and Frankie Gold, on-record with Pecora: "[Bug] said that Pecora told Catena that Lasky and Gold had it out recently and Pecora did not find out about it until one of Joe Curley's (Joseph Agone) men came over and told him about their fight and mentioned that Joe Curley would like to meet with Pecora. Pecora then met Curley and Lasky. Lasky again belittled Gold, and Pecora defended Gold to both Lasky and Agone telling them that everyone else has a high opinion of Gold and, therefore, Gold must be okay. One of the troubles in this situation is that Pecora does not know who 'has' Lasky. Pecora stated that at various times he had been told that Lasky belongs to Mike Clemente, Tony Pro (Anthony Provenzano), Johnny Dio (DioGuardia), and Joe Curley (Joseph Agone). Pecora plans to find out definitely who has Lasky and will sit down with this individual and work out a plan where Gold and Lasky will have equal rights and power in the union they have. Gene Catena told Pecora he will support him if any further problem arises in the matter."
By 1965 resided at 477 FDR Drive on Manhattan's Lower East Side.
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| F. Caruso (FBN Mafia Book) |
On February 12 of that year listed in FBI report on prominent New York area shylocks. Report noted: "[Agone] has a lengthy criminal record dating from 1929 including arrest for grand larceny, assault and robbery, possession of revolver, vagrancy, armed robbery, violation of parole and consorting...[He] is principally engaged in shylocking although he is also actively engaged in labor racketeering. He has been identified by Joseph Valachi as being a member of the Genovese Family under Rosario Mogavero. According to CS 2, Agone, a former delegate of Local 222, International Jewelry Workers Union, allegedly took over the territory of Frank Caruso, aka 'Frankie the Bug', when Caruso was incarcerated. CS 3 advised Agone recently took over 'Red Pollacks' Restaurant, 55th St and 2nd Ave, NYC, through a shylock loan of $5,000."
On March 26, 1965 FBI reported: "[CI1] advised that Joseph Agone was backer of card game operating in New York City in late 1964. [CI2] advised that Agone took over 'Red Pollack' East Side Night Spot, was paying Pollack $100 per week and entire amount was being applied to reduce shylock loan from Agone to Pollack."
On August 2, 1966 an FBI CI reported meeting with Bonanno Associates Samuel 'Hank' Perrone and Angelo 'Vic' Lapi: "[CI] said that Hank and Vic were partners [and both] appeared eager to 'get a reputation' and also that Vic's father was Joe Lapi, aka Joe Beck, who is presently out on appeal pending a narcotics conviction and who has an apartment located upstairs from the Posh Place. Beck is in LCN with Joe Curly, under Capo Jimmy Alto, now deceased." (Hank Perrone was shot to death in March 1968. Angelo Lapi was inducted into the Genovese Family during the 1970s.)
In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 209 identified Genovese Family members.
By October 1968 served as assistant to the President and special coordinator for Local 11 Hotel & Restaurant Employees & Bartenders International Union.
On October 6, 1968 an FBI member source reported on various Genovese members. He identified Rosario Mogavero as a Captain and listed among his crew members Joseph Agone, Frank Caruso, Michael Clemente and Carmelo Coppolino.
On October 17, 1968 an article in Long Island Newsday reported that Agone was being looked at in an investigation of labor racketeering re Local 11: "...Agone, the sources said, is a key figure in two phases of an investigation began nearly two years ago by New York City police and Manhattan District Attorney Hogan. The phases included a $138,000 shortage in union welfare and pension funds and a scheme by union officials to pay $12,000 to an unidentified official of the State Insurance Department to deliver a 'favorable report' on the welfare-pension fund."
On April 24, 1969 Local 11 President Fred Ferrara and four others were indicted on charges of conspiracy and violating the Taft-Hartley Law for accepting over $15,000 in kickbacks re Wechsler Coffee Co. located in The Bronx. Agone was charged with threatening violence towards laborers. New York Daily News reported: "[AUSA] said that the union officials had forced Walgreen Drug Stores to buy coffee from [Wechsler]...Officers of the coffee distributorship company then made payments as 'commissions' to the union leader, he said...[Joseph Agone was] special assistant to president Ferrara." Long Island Newsday later reported: "[Agone indicted] on charges of threatening a member of the union in an argument over Agone's alliance with the then Vito Genovese crime family." Subsequent to indictment Agone left the local. In August 1971 Ferrara and others were convicted.
In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 216 identified Genovese Family members.
By 1970 Joseph Agone and Benjamin 'Bennie the Bug' Ross operated Allied Crafts Security Union of North America. Around 1972 Ross was imprisoned and his interest given to Pat Sottile.
By Summer 1971 resided at Canaan Lake in North Patchogue, Long Island.
On June 23, 1972 CW Joseph 'Joe Fish' Luparelli, a former Colombo Associate, was extensively interviewed by the FBI while in custody of the US Marshals in Brooklyn. Shown a photograph dated March 8, 1958 he made the following comments: "...He recognized [Redacted] and stated he was known to him as [Redacted] in [redacted]. He stated [Redacted] is definitely a 'made guy' in the Genovese Family and associates on a regular basis with 'Frankie the Bug' (Caruso), Joe Curley (Agone), [Redacted] and 'Little Davey' (Petillo). Luparelli said that this group has always been big in narcotics, loansharking, strong arm work and hits, and any other illegal activity in which they can 'score'."
On July 10, 1972 FBI CI reported: "[CI] said that as far as he can determine Joseph Agone has been spending his time in Florida; however, he continues to maintain his apartment on FDR Drive."
In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
On November 21, 1972 New York Daily News reported that Agone and Rosario Mogavero were 'expected to testify' in a Waterfront Commission investigation on whether to grant a stevedore license to a Genovese-linked industrial cleaning company.
Rosario Mogavero died January 1973. By the end of that year Joseph Lapi was identified as his successor.
On March 26, 1965 FBI reported: "[CI1] advised that Joseph Agone was backer of card game operating in New York City in late 1964. [CI2] advised that Agone took over 'Red Pollack' East Side Night Spot, was paying Pollack $100 per week and entire amount was being applied to reduce shylock loan from Agone to Pollack."
On August 2, 1966 an FBI CI reported meeting with Bonanno Associates Samuel 'Hank' Perrone and Angelo 'Vic' Lapi: "[CI] said that Hank and Vic were partners [and both] appeared eager to 'get a reputation' and also that Vic's father was Joe Lapi, aka Joe Beck, who is presently out on appeal pending a narcotics conviction and who has an apartment located upstairs from the Posh Place. Beck is in LCN with Joe Curly, under Capo Jimmy Alto, now deceased." (Hank Perrone was shot to death in March 1968. Angelo Lapi was inducted into the Genovese Family during the 1970s.)
In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 209 identified Genovese Family members.
By October 1968 served as assistant to the President and special coordinator for Local 11 Hotel & Restaurant Employees & Bartenders International Union.
On October 6, 1968 an FBI member source reported on various Genovese members. He identified Rosario Mogavero as a Captain and listed among his crew members Joseph Agone, Frank Caruso, Michael Clemente and Carmelo Coppolino.
On October 17, 1968 an article in Long Island Newsday reported that Agone was being looked at in an investigation of labor racketeering re Local 11: "...Agone, the sources said, is a key figure in two phases of an investigation began nearly two years ago by New York City police and Manhattan District Attorney Hogan. The phases included a $138,000 shortage in union welfare and pension funds and a scheme by union officials to pay $12,000 to an unidentified official of the State Insurance Department to deliver a 'favorable report' on the welfare-pension fund."
On April 24, 1969 Local 11 President Fred Ferrara and four others were indicted on charges of conspiracy and violating the Taft-Hartley Law for accepting over $15,000 in kickbacks re Wechsler Coffee Co. located in The Bronx. Agone was charged with threatening violence towards laborers. New York Daily News reported: "[AUSA] said that the union officials had forced Walgreen Drug Stores to buy coffee from [Wechsler]...Officers of the coffee distributorship company then made payments as 'commissions' to the union leader, he said...[Joseph Agone was] special assistant to president Ferrara." Long Island Newsday later reported: "[Agone indicted] on charges of threatening a member of the union in an argument over Agone's alliance with the then Vito Genovese crime family." Subsequent to indictment Agone left the local. In August 1971 Ferrara and others were convicted.
In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 216 identified Genovese Family members.
By 1970 Joseph Agone and Benjamin 'Bennie the Bug' Ross operated Allied Crafts Security Union of North America. Around 1972 Ross was imprisoned and his interest given to Pat Sottile.
By Summer 1971 resided at Canaan Lake in North Patchogue, Long Island.
On June 23, 1972 CW Joseph 'Joe Fish' Luparelli, a former Colombo Associate, was extensively interviewed by the FBI while in custody of the US Marshals in Brooklyn. Shown a photograph dated March 8, 1958 he made the following comments: "...He recognized [Redacted] and stated he was known to him as [Redacted] in [redacted]. He stated [Redacted] is definitely a 'made guy' in the Genovese Family and associates on a regular basis with 'Frankie the Bug' (Caruso), Joe Curley (Agone), [Redacted] and 'Little Davey' (Petillo). Luparelli said that this group has always been big in narcotics, loansharking, strong arm work and hits, and any other illegal activity in which they can 'score'."
On July 10, 1972 FBI CI reported: "[CI] said that as far as he can determine Joseph Agone has been spending his time in Florida; however, he continues to maintain his apartment on FDR Drive."
In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
On November 21, 1972 New York Daily News reported that Agone and Rosario Mogavero were 'expected to testify' in a Waterfront Commission investigation on whether to grant a stevedore license to a Genovese-linked industrial cleaning company.
Rosario Mogavero died January 1973. By the end of that year Joseph Lapi was identified as his successor.
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| J. Lapi (1967) |
From a social club at 20 Monroe St, Lapi supervised a crew that included Joseph Agone, Philip Albanese, Joseph Calabro, Albert DiStefano, George Filippone, Louis Gaccione, Salvatore Gencarelli, Vincent Mauro and Saro's brother Joseph Mogavero.
On April 18, 1973 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Joe Lapi aka Joe Beck is a member of the Genovese Family of LCN previously under Saro Mogavero, deceased. Joe Lapi has been a close associate of Joe Curly as well as Frank Tieri...[CI] advised that he had not heard who took over for Saro Mogavero as captain, however, to the best of his recollection the following individuals were under Saro: Joe Lapi, [Redacted], Mike Clemente, [Redacted], Joe Curly, [Redacted] and possibly [Redacted]."
On May 3, 1973 indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan on Federal tax evasion charges.
In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 190 identified Genovese Family members.
That same month the FBI provided an outline of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as the Boss and listing Joseph Lapi and thirteen other Captains. Identified Lapi crew members were Joseph Agone, Albert DiStefano, Salvatore Gencarelli, Matthew 'Matty the Horse' Ianniello, Salvatore Lauro and Joseph Mogavero. (The following year Lauro is named as a Generoso crew member.)
On September 3, 1975 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Joe Curly's [redacted] got married approximately three weeks ago and that there was a big reception for her at Leonard's on Long Island. CI advised [Redacted] and Joe Beck Lapi were among the 'wise guys' attending."
On April 18, 1973 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Joe Lapi aka Joe Beck is a member of the Genovese Family of LCN previously under Saro Mogavero, deceased. Joe Lapi has been a close associate of Joe Curly as well as Frank Tieri...[CI] advised that he had not heard who took over for Saro Mogavero as captain, however, to the best of his recollection the following individuals were under Saro: Joe Lapi, [Redacted], Mike Clemente, [Redacted], Joe Curly, [Redacted] and possibly [Redacted]."
On May 3, 1973 indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan on Federal tax evasion charges.
In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 190 identified Genovese Family members.
That same month the FBI provided an outline of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as the Boss and listing Joseph Lapi and thirteen other Captains. Identified Lapi crew members were Joseph Agone, Albert DiStefano, Salvatore Gencarelli, Matthew 'Matty the Horse' Ianniello, Salvatore Lauro and Joseph Mogavero. (The following year Lauro is named as a Generoso crew member.)
On September 3, 1975 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that Joe Curly's [redacted] got married approximately three weeks ago and that there was a big reception for her at Leonard's on Long Island. CI advised [Redacted] and Joe Beck Lapi were among the 'wise guys' attending."
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| Agone in Florida (c. Mid-1970s) |
By 1976 owned apartment at Bermuda Apartments located at 1889 South Ocean Drive in Hallandale, Florida.
That February an FBI source described Agone as 'involved in narcotics'.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
In April 1977 Florida's Organized Crime Control Council issued a report listing LCN members and associates with a presence in the state. Those listed as 'regular Broward visitors' included Genovese Boss Frank Tieri and Soldiers Joseph Agone and Dominick 'Dom the Sailor' DiQuarto.
In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 177 identified Genovese Family members.
That same month the FBI provided a breakdown of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as Boss, Anthony 'Fat Tony' Salerno as Underboss and John 'Buster' Ardito as Consigliere. Matthew Ianniello was listed as Acting Underboss. Listed Captains included Harry Lanza. Those named as Lanza crew members included Joseph Agone, Carmine 'Thomas Russo' Bove, Albert DiStefano, Salvatore Lauro, Vincent 'Gene Harlow' Martino, Joseph Mogavero, Joseph Schipani and Angelo 'Little Ange' Tuminaro. (The chart was out of date in at least one aspect: Lanza died in late 1977.)
Joseph Agone died January 15, 1982 in Dade, Florida.
Buried in Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum located in Middle Village, Queens.
That February an FBI source described Agone as 'involved in narcotics'.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 198 identified Genovese Family members.
In April 1977 Florida's Organized Crime Control Council issued a report listing LCN members and associates with a presence in the state. Those listed as 'regular Broward visitors' included Genovese Boss Frank Tieri and Soldiers Joseph Agone and Dominick 'Dom the Sailor' DiQuarto.
In June 1979 included in the FBI's list of 177 identified Genovese Family members.
That same month the FBI provided a breakdown of the Genovese Family hierarchy, naming Frank Tieri as Boss, Anthony 'Fat Tony' Salerno as Underboss and John 'Buster' Ardito as Consigliere. Matthew Ianniello was listed as Acting Underboss. Listed Captains included Harry Lanza. Those named as Lanza crew members included Joseph Agone, Carmine 'Thomas Russo' Bove, Albert DiStefano, Salvatore Lauro, Vincent 'Gene Harlow' Martino, Joseph Mogavero, Joseph Schipani and Angelo 'Little Ange' Tuminaro. (The chart was out of date in at least one aspect: Lanza died in late 1977.)
Joseph Agone died January 15, 1982 in Dade, Florida.
Buried in Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum located in Middle Village, Queens.
