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| 1966 |
Louis 'Fat Lou' D'Agostino was a made member of the Gambino Family's Traina crew.
His step-brother Joseph Traina (1883-1979) was an influential member going back to the 1910s-1920s under boss Salvatore D'Aquila.
Nephew Mario Traina, Joseph's son, was a longtime Captain.
D'Agostino was also related by marriage to Bonanno member Salvatore Mirabile and the Gambino SanFilippos.
Born Luigi Giovanni D'Agostino on November 23, 1908 at 165 Chrystie St in Little Italy, Manhattan to Giuseppe (49y) and Rose Giallombardo (32y). Family resided at same address. Parents both believed from Belmonte Mezzagno comune of Palermo, Sicily.
Lou's father had arrived at the Port of New York in August 1898, destined for 'my allied' Salvatore Traina at 30 Main St in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn.
His step-brother Joseph Traina (1883-1979) was an influential member going back to the 1910s-1920s under boss Salvatore D'Aquila.
Nephew Mario Traina, Joseph's son, was a longtime Captain.
D'Agostino was also related by marriage to Bonanno member Salvatore Mirabile and the Gambino SanFilippos.
Born Luigi Giovanni D'Agostino on November 23, 1908 at 165 Chrystie St in Little Italy, Manhattan to Giuseppe (49y) and Rose Giallombardo (32y). Family resided at same address. Parents both believed from Belmonte Mezzagno comune of Palermo, Sicily.
Lou's father had arrived at the Port of New York in August 1898, destined for 'my allied' Salvatore Traina at 30 Main St in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn.
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| J. Traina (1928) |
Both Louis D'Agostino's mother and Joseph Traina's father died and at some point the widowed spouses married each other.
On September 2, 1925 D'Agostino's older brother Peter married Josephine Italiano in Brooklyn. (In 1916 Italiano's parents, also from Belmonte Mezzagno, were godparents to one of Joseph Traina's children.)
On July 3, 1934 Louis married Carmela 'Millie' Belmonte (25y) in Manhattan. Her father Giovanni (DOB 1878) was from Caltanissetta, Sicily.
By Fall 1940 he and his wife resided at 1521 71st St in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Employed with Cincinnati Beers Ale Incorporated at 674-676 Pacific St in Prospect Heights.
In the early 1940s he took a job as salesman for his step-brother's Empire Yeast Company in Manhattan, replacing Mario Traina after the latter began serving in the US Army.
By the 1950s D'Agostino was a made member of the Gambino Family and reported to Joseph Traina.
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| J. Traina FBN Mafia Book |
Made members under Traina included Vincent 'Jimmy' Amato, Louis 'Fat Louie' D'Agostino (Traina's stepbrother), Pietro 'Little Pete Lombardo' Giallombardo, Joseph Giardina and his sons Joseph Jr., Louis 'Red' and Salvatore 'Teddy' Giardina, Philip LiCastri, Vincent LiCastri (Philip's son), Angelo Mannino and his sons Ignazio 'John' and Samuel Mannino, Paul 'Whitey' SanFilippo, Vincent 'Jimmy' Sarullo, Salvatore 'Sam' Tirone and Mario 'Red' Traina (Joseph's son).
Possible crew members included Charles LiCastri (another of Philip's sons) and Paul SanFilippo's father Joseph.
All of the known Traina crew members from the time period were Sicilian. The majority traced their origins to Palermo, either the city itself (Amato) or neighboring communes Marineo (the LiCastris), Torretta (the Manninos) or, like Traina, Belmonte Mezzagno (D'Agostino and Giallombardo).
Non-Palermitani who reported to Traina included the Giardinas from Mussomeli in Caltanissetta, the SanFilippos from Sciacca and Vincent 'Jimmy' Sarullo, as yet the only known New York based member from Ribera, Agrigento not with the DeCavalcantes.
D'Agostino first came to the attention of the FBI in April 1963. CI Gregory Scarpa, a Colombo Soldier, identified Joseph Traina as a Captain and his son 'Red' (Mario) as a Soldier under him. Scarpa also noted: "[Red] Traina has an uncle by the name of Lou D'Agostino, who is also a 'button' in the Gambino Family."
The FBI opened an investigation on D'Agostino around July 1965.
He was then working for D'Agostino Excavators Inc. located at 77-11 51st Ave in Elmhurst, Queens. The company was owned by several cousins.
On October 12, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] previously furnished the description of a car operated by 'Louie', who is an associate of [Redacted]...[License] listed to Larom Corporation, 16 Bay 38th Street, Brooklyn. [CI] advised that Louie's full name is Louis D'Agostino."
On December 27, 1965 FBI CI reported: "The members of the Traina blood family were discussed with informant. In addition to this, photographs of Mario (Red) Traina and Joseph (Red) Traina were exhibited [and CI] advised Mario (Red) Traina was a member of the Gambino Family of La Cosa Nostra. He stated Mario's father, Giuseppe Traina, is also a member of the Gambino Family and was a Captain in that Family. [CI] pointed out Giuseppe is now well up in years and he does not know at this time whether Giuseppe is still a Captain or not...[CI] also pointed out that Giuseppe Traina and his two sons have another relative, Louis D'Agostino, who lives in the vicinity of 70th Street and New Utrecht Avenue, whom he knows as Fat Louie. CI stated D'Agostino is related in some way to Giuseppe Traina and his sons and [is] also a member of the Gambino Family of LCN."
On April 27, 1966 D'Agostino was interviewed by the FBI: "Louis D'Agostino [advised] he was born on 11/3/1908, in New York City to Joseph D'Agostino and Rose Gialombordo (or Giolombordo) and Baptized at St. Patrick's Church, Mulberry Street...His father married Giuseppe Traina's mother after the death of his mother and the death of Traina's father...He stated he worked for the Cincinnati Beers and Ale, Inc and the Sun Rise Beer Distributors prior to working for his step-brother Giuseppe Traina as a yeast salesman for Empire Yeast Company. He stated when Giuseppe's son, Mario, went into the Army in the early 1940's he took Mario's job with Empire Yeast and remained with the company for 22 years. He stated he met Salvatore Guarnieri due to this business. He is presently working for D'Agostino Excavators [which] is owned by the D'Agostino brothers [who] are his cousins. The D'Agostino brothers have a sister, Rosalie, who is married to Salvatore Mirabile...He stated that he is not a member of LCN, nor does he know anyone who is and his knowledge of it is limited to what he has read in the newspapers." (Salvatore Guarnieri [1915-1979] was a Gambino member who owned a pizzeria in New Utrecht, Brooklyn. He reported at the time to Olympio 'Lilo' Garofalo but associated with several Traina crew members. By the 1970s he ran the Villa Egea on 17th Ave in Bensonhurst where members of multiple Families congregated weekly.)
One or more photographs were taken with a hidden camera during questioning, a tactic commonly used by Agents to get pictures of the more obscure figures. (See top photo)
On September 13, 1966 Agents showed a photograph to CI Gregory Scarpa: "[He] advised that D'Agostino is a member of the Gambino Family [and] pointed out that D'Agostino is related to Red Traina, but he does not know what this relationship is. Scarpa stated to his knowledge D'Agostino is not involved in any illegal activities and has a legitimate job. Scarpa stated D'Agostino is also not particularly highly regarded by other members of La Cosa Nostra."
In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 205 identified Gambino Family members.
On October 6, 1968 FBI CI reported: "[CI] was contacted and advised the following individuals are members of the Vito Genovese Family of LCN...Louis D'Agostino - [Redacted]."
On October 3, 1969 interviewed by INS at his residence in Brooklyn. He gave background information on his family and claimed he had never left the country. He also stated he was widowed, suffered from a heart condition and worked as a watchman for a Bensonhurst fruit market. A report compiled afterward noted D'Agostino had no known criminal record.
Joseph Traina was by this point retired as Gambino Captain and had been succeeded by son Mario.
In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 233 identified Gambino Family members.
On January 18, 1971 FBI CI reported: "PC advised that he knew the Traina family and their cousin Louie D'Agostino. He denied any knowledge of their LCN involvement or any knowledge of LCN activities. He furnished the following information. Mario Traina lives in the 70's in Brooklyn, and operates a dress business in the garment center of New York. Giuseppe Traina, father of Mario, is elderly, ill and rarely leaves his home on 71st Street, Brooklyn due to poor vision and his advanced age. Louis D'Agostino has been missing from his usual haunts but continues to maintain his Brooklyn address and pursue a solitary type of bachelor life."
By Fall 1971 D'Agostino was residing at 1158 54th St in the Borough Park neighborhood.
He died December 18, 1971 at Community Hospital in Midwood.
Three days later he was waked at the Family-controlled Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home in Gravesend. Buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in East Flatbush.
In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 109 deceased Gambino Family members.
On December 20, 1972 FBI CI reported: "[CI] was displayed various photographs of individuals in the Gambino Family and made the following short brief comments...Louis D'Agostino, he believed this individual was identical with a person who operated a construction and sewer business and he has a son, [Redacted]." (D'Agostino worked for an excavation company and had no children.)
In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 116 deceased Gambino Family members.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 123 deceased Gambino Family members.
Step-brother Joseph Traina died at 96/97 years old on May 30, 1979 and was also waked at Cusimano and Russo.
Possible crew members included Charles LiCastri (another of Philip's sons) and Paul SanFilippo's father Joseph.
All of the known Traina crew members from the time period were Sicilian. The majority traced their origins to Palermo, either the city itself (Amato) or neighboring communes Marineo (the LiCastris), Torretta (the Manninos) or, like Traina, Belmonte Mezzagno (D'Agostino and Giallombardo).
Non-Palermitani who reported to Traina included the Giardinas from Mussomeli in Caltanissetta, the SanFilippos from Sciacca and Vincent 'Jimmy' Sarullo, as yet the only known New York based member from Ribera, Agrigento not with the DeCavalcantes.
D'Agostino first came to the attention of the FBI in April 1963. CI Gregory Scarpa, a Colombo Soldier, identified Joseph Traina as a Captain and his son 'Red' (Mario) as a Soldier under him. Scarpa also noted: "[Red] Traina has an uncle by the name of Lou D'Agostino, who is also a 'button' in the Gambino Family."
The FBI opened an investigation on D'Agostino around July 1965.
He was then working for D'Agostino Excavators Inc. located at 77-11 51st Ave in Elmhurst, Queens. The company was owned by several cousins.
On October 12, 1965 FBI CI reported: "[CI] previously furnished the description of a car operated by 'Louie', who is an associate of [Redacted]...[License] listed to Larom Corporation, 16 Bay 38th Street, Brooklyn. [CI] advised that Louie's full name is Louis D'Agostino."
On December 27, 1965 FBI CI reported: "The members of the Traina blood family were discussed with informant. In addition to this, photographs of Mario (Red) Traina and Joseph (Red) Traina were exhibited [and CI] advised Mario (Red) Traina was a member of the Gambino Family of La Cosa Nostra. He stated Mario's father, Giuseppe Traina, is also a member of the Gambino Family and was a Captain in that Family. [CI] pointed out Giuseppe is now well up in years and he does not know at this time whether Giuseppe is still a Captain or not...[CI] also pointed out that Giuseppe Traina and his two sons have another relative, Louis D'Agostino, who lives in the vicinity of 70th Street and New Utrecht Avenue, whom he knows as Fat Louie. CI stated D'Agostino is related in some way to Giuseppe Traina and his sons and [is] also a member of the Gambino Family of LCN."
On April 27, 1966 D'Agostino was interviewed by the FBI: "Louis D'Agostino [advised] he was born on 11/3/1908, in New York City to Joseph D'Agostino and Rose Gialombordo (or Giolombordo) and Baptized at St. Patrick's Church, Mulberry Street...His father married Giuseppe Traina's mother after the death of his mother and the death of Traina's father...He stated he worked for the Cincinnati Beers and Ale, Inc and the Sun Rise Beer Distributors prior to working for his step-brother Giuseppe Traina as a yeast salesman for Empire Yeast Company. He stated when Giuseppe's son, Mario, went into the Army in the early 1940's he took Mario's job with Empire Yeast and remained with the company for 22 years. He stated he met Salvatore Guarnieri due to this business. He is presently working for D'Agostino Excavators [which] is owned by the D'Agostino brothers [who] are his cousins. The D'Agostino brothers have a sister, Rosalie, who is married to Salvatore Mirabile...He stated that he is not a member of LCN, nor does he know anyone who is and his knowledge of it is limited to what he has read in the newspapers." (Salvatore Guarnieri [1915-1979] was a Gambino member who owned a pizzeria in New Utrecht, Brooklyn. He reported at the time to Olympio 'Lilo' Garofalo but associated with several Traina crew members. By the 1970s he ran the Villa Egea on 17th Ave in Bensonhurst where members of multiple Families congregated weekly.)
One or more photographs were taken with a hidden camera during questioning, a tactic commonly used by Agents to get pictures of the more obscure figures. (See top photo)
On September 13, 1966 Agents showed a photograph to CI Gregory Scarpa: "[He] advised that D'Agostino is a member of the Gambino Family [and] pointed out that D'Agostino is related to Red Traina, but he does not know what this relationship is. Scarpa stated to his knowledge D'Agostino is not involved in any illegal activities and has a legitimate job. Scarpa stated D'Agostino is also not particularly highly regarded by other members of La Cosa Nostra."
In September 1968 included in the FBI's list of 205 identified Gambino Family members.
On October 6, 1968 FBI CI reported: "[CI] was contacted and advised the following individuals are members of the Vito Genovese Family of LCN...Louis D'Agostino - [Redacted]."
On October 3, 1969 interviewed by INS at his residence in Brooklyn. He gave background information on his family and claimed he had never left the country. He also stated he was widowed, suffered from a heart condition and worked as a watchman for a Bensonhurst fruit market. A report compiled afterward noted D'Agostino had no known criminal record.
Joseph Traina was by this point retired as Gambino Captain and had been succeeded by son Mario.
In November 1969 included in the FBI's list of 233 identified Gambino Family members.
On January 18, 1971 FBI CI reported: "PC advised that he knew the Traina family and their cousin Louie D'Agostino. He denied any knowledge of their LCN involvement or any knowledge of LCN activities. He furnished the following information. Mario Traina lives in the 70's in Brooklyn, and operates a dress business in the garment center of New York. Giuseppe Traina, father of Mario, is elderly, ill and rarely leaves his home on 71st Street, Brooklyn due to poor vision and his advanced age. Louis D'Agostino has been missing from his usual haunts but continues to maintain his Brooklyn address and pursue a solitary type of bachelor life."
By Fall 1971 D'Agostino was residing at 1158 54th St in the Borough Park neighborhood.
He died December 18, 1971 at Community Hospital in Midwood.
Three days later he was waked at the Family-controlled Cusimano and Russo Funeral Home in Gravesend. Buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in East Flatbush.
In October 1972 included in the FBI's list of 109 deceased Gambino Family members.
On December 20, 1972 FBI CI reported: "[CI] was displayed various photographs of individuals in the Gambino Family and made the following short brief comments...Louis D'Agostino, he believed this individual was identical with a person who operated a construction and sewer business and he has a son, [Redacted]." (D'Agostino worked for an excavation company and had no children.)
In October 1973 included in the FBI's list of 116 deceased Gambino Family members.
In January 1977 included in the FBI's list of 123 deceased Gambino Family members.
Step-brother Joseph Traina died at 96/97 years old on May 30, 1979 and was also waked at Cusimano and Russo.
