Gambino Update

The Gambino Family Ceremonies (1970s) post has been updated with two additional members, both named Joseph Russo.

1. Joseph or Joey Russo, co-owner of the Villa Russo in Queens, was identified as a Gambino Soldier by one of the FBI's member sources in June 1980. He died in or around 1986.

2. Joseph Cosmo Russo, son to Former Capodecina Gaetano (1891-1970) of Cusimano and Russo Funeral Homes, was confirmed as a made member shortly after his death in 1991. He was in the DeCicco (formerly John Riccobono) crew and was likely inducted prior to 1980.

Colombo Update

Former Colombo Capodecina Vincent 'Vinny Sicilian' Gugliaro died last month.

This leaves Vincent Aloi (89y) and Alphonse 'Funzi' D'Ambrosio (98y) as the only known surviving members from the Profaci era.

Joseph 'Fat Richie' Zorzi (94y) may also still be alive, although at least one source claimed he was murdered around late 1969.

DeCavalcante Family (Late 1999) [Text]

DeCavalcante Family (c. December 1999)

Administration:

Boss: John Riggi (74y) (IP)
1a. Acting Admin: Vincent 'Vinny Ocean' Palermo (54y)

Soldier [Reported Direct to Palermo]

- Anthony Capo (38y)

1b. Acting Admin: Charles Majuri (59y)

Soldier [Reported Direct to Majuri]

- Joseph 'Joe Red' Merlo Jr. (39y)

1c. Acting Admin: Girolamo 'Jimmy' Palermo (61y)

Soldier [Reported Direct to Palermo]

- Joseph Collina (53y) [Shelved]

Consigliere: Stefano Vitabile (64y)

Captains:

1. Philip Abramo (54y) (NY)

Soldiers

- Louis 'Louie Eggs' Consalvo (42y)

- Gregory Rago (40y)

2. Joseph 'Joe C.' Caruano (68y) (NJ)

Soldiers

- Anthony Falzone (43y)

3. Joseph 'Jo Jo' Ferrara (61y) (NJ)

Soldiers

- Nicola 'Nick the Plumber' Cottone (62y)

- Anthony 'Soft Shoes' DeMaio (58y)

- FNU 'Maddiani' LNU [Maddaluna?]

- Frank Nigro (57y)

- Simone Palermo (66y)

4. Frank 'Frankie Hotel' Polizzi (64y) (NJ)

5. Anthony Rotondo (42y) (NY)

Soldiers

- Felice 'Phil the Undertaker' LaMela (66y)

- Louis Telese (73y)

6. Giuseppe 'Pino' Schifilliti (61y) (NJ)

Soldiers

- James 'Jimmy Pitt' Gallo (55y)

- Francesco 'Joe' Gatto (58y)

- Lorenzo 'Larry' Giacobbe (44y)

- Francesco 'Cheech' Guarraci (45y)

- Salvatore 'Little Sal' Timpani (56y)

7. Larry 'Shorty' Schiro (79y) (NY)

Acting: Joseph Giacobbe (76y)

Soldiers

- Carmelo 'Melio' Cocchiaro (64y) (FL)

- Rosario 'Russell' Cocchiaro (58y)

- Nicholas 'Little Nicky' LaMela (64y)

- Anthony 'Marshmallow' Mannarino (54y)

- Joseph Miranda (76y)

- Ralph Reda (66y) (FL)

- Joseph 'Tin Ear' Sclafani (62y)

?8. Paolo Farina (73y) (NJ)

==========

Soldiers (Crew Unknown)
- Gaeton 'Guy' Alessi (50y) (Bayonne, NJ)
- Daniel Annunziata (60y) [Direct with Admin?]
- Giacomo Colletti (41y)
- Joseph Colletti (69y)
- Carl Corsentino (63y) [Former Riggi Crew]

- Jerry 'Dracula' LNU [G. Guarraggi?]
- Michael Merlo (40y)
- Emanuel 'Manny' Riggi (52y) [Shelved]
- John Riggi Jr. (45y) [Shelved]
- Vincent Riggi (48y) [Shelved]
- Gaetano 'Corky' Vastola (71y) [Direct with Admin?]

Total Known Members: 50
Total Estimated Membership: c. 60 (Family capped at 75?)

Possible Members
- Joseph Amato (71y) (NJ)

- Louis Cocchiaro (52y?) [Named by CW Rotondo as a made member partnered with Frank D'Amato in a loansharking operation. Possible reference to Rosario 'Russ' Cocchiaro]

- Dominick Colletti (35y) (NJ) [CWs disagree on membership status]

- Girolamo 'Momo' Guarraggi (50y) [Possible match for 'Dracula' LNU]

- Lawrence 'Larry' Martire (68y) (NY)
- Ralph Micale (77y) (FL)
- Emanuel Sortino (44y) (NJ)
- Anthony Staiti (79y) (NY)

Proposed Associates
- Pietro Colletti (31y)
- Gerard 'Jerry Fireworks' Constabile [Rotondo Crew]
- Simone Esposito (29y) [Rotondo Crew]
- Frank D'Amato (53y) [Abramo Crew]
- Victor 'Whitey' DiChiara (35y) [Palermo Crew]
- Frank Renda (30y) [Nephew to C. Majuri]
- Francesco 'Frank the Painter' Paparatto (60y) [Direct with Vitabile]
- Frank 'Frankie the Beast' Scarabino (43y) [Polizzi Crew]
- Charles 'Charlie the Hat' Stango (56y) [Ferrara Crew]

==========

Notes:

- Membership estimates given for the time period range from 52 to a high of 68.

- In 2003 CW Palermo stated that the DeCavalcantes were capped at 75 members. The following year he testified as follows:

- Each member required to kick up $40 monthly contribution to Family fund.

- Unsub aka 'Maddiani', named as a made member in Joseph Ferrara's crew, is possibly referring to an individual involved with the Maddaluna Disposal company in Linden.

- The majority of CW information indicates that Paolo Farina voluntarily stepped down as Captain after Emanuel Riggi was shelved in early 1991. CW Vincent Palermo instead claims that Farina was a captain all the way up to the December 1999 indictments.

- The DeCavalcantes were barred from making new members for most of the decade (possibly beginning right after the D'Amato homicide). By mid-to-late 1999 the restriction was lifted, and efforts were underway to get prospective members vetted by the NY Families when the indictments hit. Frank D'Amato and Charles Stango were among several new members ultimately brought in during the following year.

- Proposed Associate Simone Esposito transferred to the Bonanno Family following crew leader Rotondo's indictment and was made in that Family by Spring 2001.

- After indictment Anthony Capo became the first made member of the DeCavalcante Family to cooperate. He was followed by Vincent Palermo and Anthony Rotondo in March 2000 and May 2001 respectively. Proposed Associates Victor DiChiara and Frank Scarabino also defected.

- By early 2001 imprisoned Boss John Riggi made several leadership changes. Joseph Miranda was promoted from Soldier to Underboss, and recently inducted Frank D'Amato assumed control of the Family's Manhattan crew formerly headed by Joseph Giacobbe. Additional captains, including the soon to cooperate Rotondo, were also demoted by Riggi.

Genovese Family Deaths (1958-1976)

List of Genovese Family deaths that occurred while the books were closed from 1958 to 1975.

- Joseph DeMarco (Soldier) (11.22.1958) [Murdered]

- Aniello 'Mr. T.' Ercole (Soldier) (2.12.1959)

- Pasquale 'Patty Mush' Moccio (Soldier) (4.9.1959)

- James 'Yargo' Cusumano (Soldier) (7.7.1959)

- Anthony 'Little Augie Pisano' Carfano (Capodecina) (9.25.1959) [Murdered]

- Thomas Milo (Soldier) (11.17.1959)

- Carmine Genovese (Soldier) (1.4.1960)

- Generoso 'Toto' Del Duca (Capodecina) (3.28.1960)

- Angelo 'Jerry the Lug' Iandosco (Soldier) (6.23.1960)

- Frank Galluccio (Soldier) (9.23.1960)

- Pietro Dolce (Capodecina) (4.13.1961)

- Charles 'Lucky' Luciano (Former Boss) (1.26.1962)

- Anthony 'Tony Bender' Strollo (Former Acting Underboss) (4.8.1962) [Murdered]

- Joseph Rao (Soldier) (5.9.1962)

- Louis 'Babe' Milo (Soldier) (7.1.1962)

 

- Charles Carlo (Former Capodecina?) (7.6.1963)

- Joseph 'Ju Ju' Perrone (Soldier) (11.12.1963)

- Nicola 'Diamond Dick' Traina (Soldier) (12.26.1963)

- Vincenzo 'Jimmy Alto' Altomari (Capodecina) (1.20.1964)

- Joseph Barra (Soldier) (2.8.1964)

- Pasquale 'Patsy' Del Duca (Capodecina) (4.12.1964)

- Fiore Siano (Soldier) (4.26.1964) [Murdered]

- Charles 'Charlie Bullets' Albero (Soldier) (5.11.1964)

- Carl 'Leash' Silesia (Soldier) (7.1964)

- Louis 'Louie the Hood' Georgiano (Soldier) (1.28.1965)

- Giachinio 'Jack / Jake' Columbo (Soldier) (2.21.1965)

- Charles Campisi (Soldier) (5.31.1965)

- Pasquale Amorosa (Soldier) (7.11.1966)

- Michael 'Big Mike' Giannino (Soldier) (8.19.1966)

- Michael 'Trigger Mike' Coppola (Capodecina) (10.1.1966)

- Felice 'Phil' Corbisiero (Soldier) (10.6.1966)

- Frank 'Costello' Viscone (Soldier) (12.20.1966)

- James 'Jimmy' Angellino (Capodecina) (1.13.1967)

- Don 'Fat' Ferraro (Soldier) (1.20.1967)

- Joseph 'Joe Ross' DeNegris (Soldier) (2.27.1967)

- Robert Tarantino (Soldier) (3.11.1967)

- John 'Johnny Futo' Biele (Soldier) (3.17.1967) [Murdered]

- Sebastian 'Buster' Ofria (Soldier) (3.22.1967)

- Anthony Nasti (Soldier) (5.26.1967)

- Salvatore Lanzieri (Soldier) (6.8.1967)

- Antonio Appierto (Soldier) (6.1967)

- Eugene Catena (Capodecina) (8.2.1967)

- Frank 'Cheech' Livorsi (Soldier) (9.22.1967)

- John Riccardi (Soldier) (11.10.1967)

- Ralph Prisco (Soldier) (4.23.1968)

- Salvatore 'Sammy' Chillemi (Soldier) (7.22.1968)

- Joseph 'Socks' Lanza (Soldier) (10.9.1968)

- Daniel Polidori (Soldier) (10.25.1968)

- Salvatore 'Sammy' Puma (Soldier) (11.21.1968) [Alt. Bonanno]

- Rosario 'Don Zaza' DiMaggio (Soldier) (1.1969)

- Vito Genovese (Boss) (2.14.1969)

- Peter 'Pete Marino' Maiorana (Soldier) (2.16.1969)

- Joseph 'Jay Jay' Schiavone (Soldier) (6.10.1969)

- Victor 'Vic' Pisauro (Soldier) (10.13.1969)

- Joseph Mineo (Soldier) (2.28.1970)

- Alfred 'Al Butch' Faicco (Soldier) (3.15.1970)

- Salvatore 'Sally Burns' Granello (Soldier) (9.24.1970) [Murdered]

- Thomas Campisi (Soldier) (10.8.1970)

- Joseph Valachi (Soldier) (4.3.1971) [CW]

- Gabriel 'Blah-Blah' Vigorito (Soldier) (4.12.1971)

- Alfred 'Poagy' Toriello (Capodecina?) (4.19.1971)

- Salvatore 'Skinny Sal' Celambrino (Capodecina) (4.27.1971)

- Anthony 'Jack Panels' Santoli (Soldier) (5.14.1971)

- Gerard 'Jerry Moore' Mosiello (Soldier) (8.2.1971)

- Michael Spinella (Soldier) (9.1971)

- Anthony 'Tony Andrews' Florio (Soldier) (10.3.1971)

- Angelo 'Shelly' Pero (Soldier) (11.4.1971)

- Giuseppe 'Joe Adonis' Doto (Former Capodecina) (11.26.1971)

- Raymond Muscarella (Soldier) (1.20.1972)

- Angelo Lapadura (Soldier) (2.8.1972)

- Nicholas Camerota (Soldier) (3.22.1972)

- Henry Rubino (Soldier) (5.2.1972) [Murdered] [Unsanctioned]

- George 'Georgie Hooks' Nobile (Soldier) (5.22.1972)

- Battisto 'Bart' Salvo (Soldier) (6.14.1972)

- Alfonso Marzano (Soldier) (7.12.1972)

- Thomas 'Tommy Ryan' Eboli (Admin) (7.16.1972) [Murdered]

- Salvatore 'Zackie' Savino (Soldier) (8.1972)

- Peter Pellegrino (Soldier) (10.31.1972)

- Ralph 'Tattles' Polizio (Soldier) (12.16.1972)

- Rosario 'Saro' Mogavero (Capodecina) (1.9.1973)

- Angelo Fiore (Former [?] Capodecina) (1.1973)

- Nicholas 'Nick O'Brien' Galante (Capodecina?) (2.25.1973)

- Ralph 'Whitey' Ferraro (Capodecina) (3.11.1973)

- Pasquale 'Patsy' Erra (Soldier) (5.5.1973)

- Angelo Chieppa (Soldier) (5.19.1973) [Murdered]

- Barney Miranda (Soldier) (6.22.1973)

- Frank Celano (Capodecina) (7.8.1973)

- Salvatore DiPietro (Soldier) (8.20.1973)

- Michele 'Mike' Miranda (Consigliere) (9.16.1973)

- Dominick 'Swat Mulligan' Ciaffone (Soldier) (10.15.1973)

- Angelo 'Gyp' DeCarlo (Capodecina) (10.20.1973)

- Anthony 'Blackie' Salerno (Soldier) (11.11.1973)

- Theodore 'Teddy the Bum' DeMartino (Soldier) (c. 1973)

- Anthony 'Little Georgie' Riccardi (Soldier) (1.13.1974)

- Pasquale 'Patsy' Pagano (Soldier) (4.27.1974) [Murdered]

- Ottilio 'Frankie the Bug' Caruso (Soldier) (7.7.1974)

- Alfred 'Iggy Moe' Guido (Soldier) (8.14.1974)

- Antonio 'Tony the Sheik' Carillo (Capodecina) (8.1974)

- Eugene 'Gino' Farina (Soldier) (10.1.1974)

- Joseph 'Joe Swede / Sweets' Paterra (Soldier) (10.11.1974)

- Alfred 'Sharkey' Cupola (Soldier) (10.1974)

- Ralph Belvedere (Soldier) (5.4.1975)

- Rocco 'The Old Man' Pellegrino (Former [?] Capodecina) (5.13.1975)

- Thomas 'Tommy Palmer' Greco (Capodecina) (5.28.1975)

- Francesco 'Frank Casino' Cucola (Soldier) (6.16.1975)

- Joseph Paul Marchione (Soldier) (10.1.1975)

- Frank 'Frankie Skimp' Caggiano (Soldier) (10.2.1975)

- Ferdinand 'Fat Freddie' Salerno (Soldier) (11.14.1975)

- Salvatore 'Little Salvie' Gencarelli (Soldier) (11.18.1975)

Total: 109

Murders: 10 [1 Unsanctioned]

The above figure is only a baseline estimate. There are many possible members who died in this time frame as well, along with an indeterminate number of complete unknowns.

Possible members include Liborio Bellomo (DOD 2.11.1972), Gasparo 'Jay' Campisi (8.28.1972), Vito Campo (8.21.1971), James 'Sham' Capone (8.17.1964), Paul Fraccacreta (10.5.1974), Anthony Francomano (2.7.1963), Peter Landusco (8.24.1975), Mariano 'Mike' Lascari (10.17.1972), Thomas 'Tommy the Bull' Pennacchio (9.12.1965) and several others.

Update

The Genovese Family Ceremonies (1970s) post has been updated to add James Vincent Delio (1924-1980).

Delio, identified by the FBI as a Capodecina by August 1980, was involved in the operation of Bamonte's Restaurant located on Withers St in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood.

He was shot to death in nearby Ridgewood in early October 1980.

His younger brother Thomas, a Genovese Associate, was murdered in 1974.

Their uncle, Genovese Capodecina Pasquale 'Patty Mack' Macchirole, was shot to death in 1978.

Lucchese Surveillance (1970s)

Spliced from two separate photos.

FBI surveillance photo believed taken in the late 1970s depicting Lucchese Soldiers Anthony 'Buddy' Luongo (L) and Salvatore 'Sally Bo' DiSimone (R).

Both men, inducted around 1978, were part of the Family's Bronx - Harlem faction.

Luongo served as Captain by 1985 and, in the wake of the Commission Case indictments, was viewed by some in the Family as a strong candidate for Boss. The position went instead to Vittorio 'Vic' Amuso, who with others murdered Luongo in November 1986.

DiSimone provided transportation for the group inducted at an unspecified Bronx residence in August 1982. Those made at the time included future Acting Boss Alfonso 'Little Al' D'Arco.

Around 1995 Joseph DeFede, the Acting Boss after D'Arco, promoted DiSimone to Acting Captain. This was done at the insistence of Underboss Steven Crea. Approval was given after the fact by imprisoned Boss Amuso.

As Acting Captain DiSimone attended the circa fall 1996 ceremony where his son Andrew, along with Alfred 'Freddy Boy' Santorelli, was made into the Family.

By the early 2000s he was an official Captain with a crew active in The Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester County.

Made members in his crew included Dominick 'Nicky Pepsi' Capelli and Albert Circelli, who was later killed in an unsanctioned shooting at Rao's restaurant in East Harlem.

DiSimone was described as 'recently deceased' in the March 2018 state racketeering indictment of former crew member Dominick Capelli.

Joseph Giardano (St. Louis)

c. 1980

Joseph Giardano was a member of the St. Louis Family.

His younger brothers Salvatore/Sam (DOB 1905-1957) and Anthony (1914-1980) were also members, the latter serving as Family Boss from the 1960s until his death.

Additional member relatives included nephews Anthony (1918-2002) and James Giammanco (1920-1985).

Joseph Giardano was born April 30, 1900 in Palermo (Terrasini?), Sicily.

By summer 1926 he resided at 1128 North 8th St in St. Louis.

In early November 1927 convicted for involvement in the July 1926 robbery of $8,100 in payroll from the Suburban Railway Company located directly across the border in East St. Louis, Illinois. Press coverage of the trial noted: "[Giardano] was declared to be the chief of the gang which carried out the robbery."

He served approximately seven-and-one-half years of a ten year sentence at Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Chester.

Press covered from 1942 claims that in 1928 Giardano was arrested on a concealed weapons charge and also held for investigation in a murder case.

An FBI informant later reported that both Joseph and his brother Anthony, along with John Vitale, were inducted into the St. Louis Family around 1934.

On November 18, 1938 Giardano and several others were questioned in the attempted murder of Lee Baker near Creve Coeur Lake in St. Louis County. The victim, shot twice by two assailants, was a witness for the State in a bombing case against Isadore Londe.

The following year Londe and Giardano brothers Joseph and Anthony were questioned in another bombing in Cuba, Missouri.

In 1940 Giardano and brother-in-law Samuel Tocco (1900-1949) were temporarily charged with the robbery of $7,880 in cash and checks from a Maplewood market.

On February 27, 1942 Giardano and four others were indicted for involvement in the December 1941 robbery of $500 cash and $20,800 worth of jewelry and precious metals from the Krause Gold Refinery Company in Kansas City, Missouri. The group was specifically accused of transporting the proceeds over the state line into Johnston County, Kansas.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (1942)

Labeled a fugitive, Giardano was arrested that June at his North 8th St residence. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported: "[Giardano] denies implication in the [robbery] or that he has been 'hiding out'. He asserted that he had been staying at home for 'several months', doing odd jobs about the house. His wife, Mrs. Bessie [Orlando] Giardano, told the same story." The following month a brother-in-law, Onofrio 'Louis' Tocco (1908-1951), and Arthur Smith (37y) confessed their own involvement and exonerated Giardano.

By March 1945 Giardano operated a tavern at 3702 Olive St, employing his brother Anthony as a bartender.

On March 16, 1945 the brothers were held for disturbing the peace after a shooting near the tavern. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported: "[Lloyd Carter] told police an automobile similar in color and make to one owned by Joseph Giardano drove alongside his car and one of two men in the other machine fired three shots at him with a revolver. Two bullets struck his car, he said. He was unable to identify either of the Giardanos as occupants of the other car. Carter said that shortly before the shooting he had been waiting in his car across the street from Giardano's tavern for a waitress employed there, but that he drove away when two men came out of the tavern after he saw a bartender take a revolver from under the bar. He said the two men got into a car and followed him."

By 1950 Giardano owned a new tavern downtown at 525 Market St. He and his family had moved to 4104 Begg Blvd in Pine Lawn, a small town located just outside the city proper.

On July 18, 1950 briefly testified before a US Senate Committee investigating Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce.

On December 6, 1951 arrested by St. Louis PD on unspecified charge.

1956

He was arrested on another unspecified charge in February 1956.

In January 1963 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised a criminal organization consisting of Italian police characters did exist in St. Louis. [CI] stated this organization was referred to as a 'Family' and in years gone by this 'Family' was active in criminal matters...[CI] stated that the organization in St. Louis has been in existence for many years and John Joseph Vitale, one of the members of the St. Louis Family, had been 'made' in 1934. At the time same Anthony Giardano and his brother Joe Giardano were also made. [CI] advised that the St. Louis Family was closely aligned with the Kansas City Family and Vitale and the Giardanos were close to Kansas City."

On July 1, 1963 FBI reported: "The following individuals are believed members of 'La Cosa Nostra' in the St. Louis area, which is under the Family of Nicholas Civella of Kansas City: John Joseph Vitale; Joseph Giardano; Anthony Giardano; Ralph Caleca; Joseph Cammarata; Anthony Miceli; (and possibly) Vincent Filipello aka Sugar Vince; Anthony DiMartino."

By Late 1963 involved with the Anthony Novelty Company at 3401 Kienlen Ave in Pine Lawn.

On December 17, 1963 FBI SL reported: "[CI] advised [John] Vitale, in company with Joe Giardano and Ralph Caleca, had visited Las Vegas in an attempt to purchase an interest in one of the 'Strip' hotels. [CI] said their contact man in Las Vegas was one Tony Renda, an employee of the Stardust Hotel. [CI] said Vitale had attempted to purchase points in the Riviera Hotel, but his efforts were unsuccessful and Vitale exhibited an interest in buying into the Clark Vending Machine Company of Las Vegas." FBI noted: "Subsequent investigation of the Clark Vending Machine Company reflected Frank Milano Jr., son of Frank Milano, and Lee Parisi met in Cleveland, and were scheduled to have meetings in Cleveland, St. Louis and Kansas City concerning additional financing, as well as to obtain instructions regarding [company], and were to receive an 'okay' from top people. Investigation indicated Milano and Parisi did meet with Joe Giardano (brother of Anthony Giardano) at either the Anthony Novelty Company in St. Louis or Vitale's office on Produce Row."

On March 28, 1967 FBI CI reported: "..[CI] further stated Tony Giardano is currently the Boss of the St. Louis Family, and that back in 1949, when Frank Coppola and Silvester Carrollo of Kansas City had been deported, they were hiding out in Tijuana, Mexico, and were visited by Tony Giardano, his brother Joe Giardano,and [Joe] Laudicina [of Detroit]."

On April 22, 1967 FBI CI reported: "[CI] stated there are only two men in St. Louis that have any stature with the 'outfit' and these men are Anthony Giardano and John Vitale. [CI] said both of these were older men and were engaged in gambling and had few business interests. [CI] said both Vitale and Giardano owe their strength to connections that they have with Chicago and Sam Giancana. [CI] said there were no other important members of the 'outfit' in St. Louis, other than possibly Joseph Giardano, who obtained his strength through his brother Anthony. [CI] said the rest of the St. Louis hoodlums were of no importance and just 'small guys'."

On June 14, 1967 FBI CI reported: "[CI] stated the head of the Italian criminal organization in St. Louis, and who is referred to as the 'Boss', is unquestionably Anthony Giardano. [CI] stated that Sam Viviano, who was formerly from St. Louis and who recently died in Battle Creek, Michigan, was the person who groomed Anthony Giardano for his position of prominence in the Mafia. Sam Viviano, Sam Buffa, who are now deceased, and Pete Corrado were all members of the organization and all close friends of Giardano's older brother, Joe Giardano."

On June 14, 1967 FBI CI reported: "[CI] said in the old days in St. Louis, when Pasquale Miceli was alive and head of the organization, the higher-ups in the Family in St. Louis met at the 'council table' at the Miceli Funeral Parlor where they decided on matters of policy...[CI] stated in those days the policy makers would be such individuals as Pasquale Miceli, Sam Viviano and others, many of whom are now deceased. Other policy makers were Joe Giardano and John Ferrara, both of whom are still residing in St. Louis...Joseph Giardano, brother of Tony, is also unquestionably a member of the St. Louis Family and derives his power from the same source as his brother, name Joe Zerilli of Detroit. Joseph Giardano is less active but would be considered in all matters of policy and concerning activities taking place in St. Louis."

On October 20, 1967 FBI NY reported: "The following individuals have been identified as members of the St. Louis Family of LCN: Ralph Caleca; Joseph Cammarata; Anthony DiMartino; Giovanni Ferrara; Vincent Filipello; Joseph Geloso; Anthony Giardano; Joseph Giardano; Anthony Miceli; Frank Pisciotta; John Joseph Vitale; James Giammanco. The following individual is considered to be a suspected member of the St. Louis Family of LCN: Sam Guccione."

On October 20, 1967 FBI NY reported: "[CI] advised Anthony Giardano, 'Boss', of the St. Louis Family...Other persons close to Anthony Giardano, and who are considered highly placed members of this Family, according to [three CIs] are: John Vitale; Joseph Giardano; Ralph Caleca; John Ferrara; Frank Pisciotta."

By the late 1970s Giardano resided in Chesterfield, Missouri.

He died March 7, 1989 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery located in Ellisville.

More St. Louis Family posts can be found in the Index.