 |
| Oct. 1951 |
Joseph LiCalsi was a member of the Gambino Family.
Born January 25, 1912 in Tampa, Florida to Antonino (24y) and Vincenza Pullara (19y).
Father and mother were Sicilian, hailing respectively from the towns of Alessandria della Rocca and Santo Stefano Quisquina in Agrigento.
The local Mafia Family included several confirmed and suspected members who traced their origins to the above comunes, including Salvador Pullara (1898-1973), a possible LiCalsi relative.
The LiCalsis resided in Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood, first at 1805 8th Ave and by April 1920 at 1713 15th Ave. Antonino worked as a cigar maker.
By April 1930 the family left Florida for New York, residing at 324 East 76th St in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Joseph worked as a dental technician; his brother Nelson later became a dentist and held a teaching position at New York University College of Dentistry.
The LiCalsi household was across the street from that of Gambino Family Member Domenico 'Mike' Arcuri at 311 East 76th.
Like Antonino LiCalsi, Arcuri was born in Alessandria della Rocca. He arrived in New York at the beginning of 1906, spent a few years in Tampa and returned to the city around 1917. Domenico married a Longo, an alias later used by Joseph LiCalsi. Domenico's son Joseph, born in Tampa, followed his father into the Gambino Family.
By 1936 LiCalsi was living at 321 East 12th St in East Village and partnered in a wholesale dressmaking business.
In June 1938 he married Antoinette 'Ann' Cacciatore (20y) in Brooklyn. The bride's parents, Salvatore (1891-1970) and Maria SanFelippo, were from Alessandria and Sciacca respectively.
By June 1942 the couple resided at 1042 80th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
In 1946 LiCalsi was partners with Gambino Member Charles Dongarra in an unspecified business.
Born January 25, 1912 in Tampa, Florida to Antonino (24y) and Vincenza Pullara (19y).
Father and mother were Sicilian, hailing respectively from the towns of Alessandria della Rocca and Santo Stefano Quisquina in Agrigento.
The local Mafia Family included several confirmed and suspected members who traced their origins to the above comunes, including Salvador Pullara (1898-1973), a possible LiCalsi relative.
The LiCalsis resided in Tampa's Ybor City neighborhood, first at 1805 8th Ave and by April 1920 at 1713 15th Ave. Antonino worked as a cigar maker.
By April 1930 the family left Florida for New York, residing at 324 East 76th St in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Joseph worked as a dental technician; his brother Nelson later became a dentist and held a teaching position at New York University College of Dentistry.
The LiCalsi household was across the street from that of Gambino Family Member Domenico 'Mike' Arcuri at 311 East 76th.
Like Antonino LiCalsi, Arcuri was born in Alessandria della Rocca. He arrived in New York at the beginning of 1906, spent a few years in Tampa and returned to the city around 1917. Domenico married a Longo, an alias later used by Joseph LiCalsi. Domenico's son Joseph, born in Tampa, followed his father into the Gambino Family.
By 1936 LiCalsi was living at 321 East 12th St in East Village and partnered in a wholesale dressmaking business.
In June 1938 he married Antoinette 'Ann' Cacciatore (20y) in Brooklyn. The bride's parents, Salvatore (1891-1970) and Maria SanFelippo, were from Alessandria and Sciacca respectively.
By June 1942 the couple resided at 1042 80th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
In 1946 LiCalsi was partners with Gambino Member Charles Dongarra in an unspecified business.
 |
| Dongarra (1950) |
Dongarra was a made member in the Family's Biondo - Riccobono crew and took over the regime by the early 1960s.
By April 1950 LiCalsi resided with the Cacciatores at 2039 81st St in Bensonhurst.
The following year he was caught up in one of the decade's most publicized LCN murder cases.
On the morning of October 4, 1951 Genovese Member Guarino 'Willie' Moretti was shot to death inside Joe's Restaurant located on Palisades Ave in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Moretti had been a figure of influence since the 1920s and headed a large crew in the state.
Later that month Pat Collins, an ex-girlfriend of Joseph LiCalsi, contacted authorities and claimed she had driven LiCalsi and two unidentified men to Joe's Restaurant on the day Moretti was killed.
She claimed to have seen LiCalsi and the others greet Moretti outside and then enter the establishment, after which she circled the block and returned to pick the trio up. It was only the following day, Collins claimed, that she learned Moretti had been murdered. She told investigators that one of the hats left at the scene by the suspected killers belonged to LiCalsi.
On October 20 LiCalsi was picked up by the NYPD in Manhattan on a vagrancy charge and held pending further investigation.
Three days later the Bergen County Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant charging LiCalsi with murder.
He remained in New York pending an extradition hearing, which was held later that year.
In the lead-up Pat Collins suffered multiple blows to her credibility. The hat she claimed belonged to LiCalsi was determined not to fit the suspect. Initially claiming LiCalsi recruited her because of her expert driving ability, she proved unable to operate a vehicle and then changed her story to put LiCalsi in the driver's seat.
The extradition hearing was held December 21. As reported in the following day's edition of The Morning Call, presiding Judge Greenblatt stated: "This is one of the easiest cases I ever had to decide. This woman, from early youth, has led an unsavory existence and, I am convinced, there is not a shred of truth in the testimony she gave here." LiCalsi was promptly released. An FBI report later noted: "LiCalsi disappeared shortly thereafter, and his whereabouts have been unknown to [New Jersey State Police] since that time."
Information on LiCalsi's activities through the remainder of the decade isn't available.
By 1958 he was a formally inducted member of the Gambino Family and possibly reported to Domenico Arcuri, his former Upper East Side neighbor and now a Family Captain.
Arcuri and his son Joseph, a Gambino Soldier, operated the Arcuri Liquor Store at 302 East 78th St. They also held an interest in the Victory Star Social Club at the old East 76th St address. Both locations served as hubs for the Gambino Family's Upper Manhattan faction as well as members from other Families. The liquor store was used as a meeting point for members and associates from across the city and out of state.
Arcuri's crew included a still obscure group of New York members, along with Connecticut-based Gambino Soldiers Isadore 'Jerry' Castiglione, Ignazio 'Benny' Marchese, Nicola Patti and Frank Piccolo.
LiCalsi first came to the attention of the FBI in the early half of 1963. CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier, identified one 'Joe LiCalsi' as a fellow member. (The original report isn't available, so it's not known what, if any, additional details Santantonio provided. He was murdered that summer.)
On June 12, 1963 FBI CW Joseph Valachi reported: "[Valachi advised] Joseph LaScali (sic) was held as a material witness in the gangland slaying of hoodlum Willie Moretti. [Valachi] stated that [redacted]." Valachi initially identified LiCalsi as a Lucchese member.
On October 10, 1963 Valachi was re-contacted: "[The] correct spelling of Joseph LaScali's name was determined to be Joseph LiCalsi. Also, it was determined through [Valachi] that LiCalsi was a member of the Carlo Gambino Family rather than the Thomas Lucchese Family, as he originally stated."
Joseph's brother Louis LiCalsi, owner of a barbershop in Tampa, was interviewed by the FBI in late July 1964. During the interview LiCalsi stated re the Moretti case: "[Joseph LiCalsi] was picked up by the NYPD back in 1951; however, such was all because of some jealous woman who made up some story about him being involved...He said that the New York authorities refused to approve the extradition of his brother to New Jersey and subsequently, Joe was cleared of the whole mess. He stated he personally never heard of Joseph LiCalsi's friends [Redacted], claiming that he did not know the close friends or associates of his brother, Joe, and Joe went his way and they never palled around too much when in New York." Louis denied all knowledge of LCN: "[LiCalsi] related that he thought if he were a member of such an organization, he would not have to eke out a living as he has done all his life...He agreed he was born and raised on 8th Avenue in Tampa, Florida in the heart of the former Italian area; his parents came from Sicily and he knew numerous people of Sicilian descent, but he did not know of the existence of [LCN]."
Joseph's other brother, Dr. Nelson LiCalsi, was interviewed in August 1964: "...LiCalsi said the last time he saw his brother Joe was last March [during Nelson's hospital stay]. He was surprised, he said, to see Joe, since he had not seen him for several years owing to a 'falling out' between them which occurred for undisclosed reasons. It was noted by Doctor LiCalsi that his brother is a gambler and he intimated that there was lacking between them a brotherly rapport because of Joe's questionable activities. LiCalsi refused to enlarge upon what he knew concerning [Joe's activities]."
Questioned regarding various Gambino members, Dr. LiCalsi admitted knowing Gambino Underboss Joseph Biondo and Gambino Captains Paul Castellano and Charles Dongarra as patients. He identified Frank Biondo as his assistant in the Local 27 dental clinic and mentioned providing Paul Castellano with a bail surety ship 'some seven years ago'.
FBI reported: "...Concerning Carlo Gambino, [Doctor LiCalsi] said he had the latter as a patient and had him as a house guest on a number of occasions and regards Gambino as a 'fine gentleman'. He also claimed to know Paul Gambino. He said he hasn't seen Carlo for about two years...He also acknowledged knowing Domenico 'Mike' Arcuri and his son, Joe, operators of [Arcuri Liquor Store]. These persons he claimed to have met when he lived on East 77th St, not in Tampa [although] the Arcuris lived in Tampa years ago as did his parents and other family members. He said he knew [Former Gambino Member] Joe Parisi rather well and it was through Parisi that he became associated with Local 27...His limited comments concerning all of these persons were circumspectly favorable to them and if he had misjudged these people he certainly had been carrying out his professional practice in a vacuum of naiveté. That most of these characters have firmly established themselves as hoodlums with law enforcement came as a mild surprise to LiCalsi."
The LiCalsis' father Antonino (78y) was interviewed the following January: "He claimed to be a citizen of the US and exhibited his naturalization certificate to support this claim. He lived many years in the Tampa, FL area where he established his family. In the 1940's, the family migrated to NY in quest of economic improvement and lived in various places in Greater New York. LiCalsi resided for several years with their son, Nelson [but] never lived with son, Joseph, whom he regarded as unpredictable...As to when he saw his son, Joe, last, LiCalsi recalled it was four of five weeks ago. Joe visits his parents every three or four weeks, has little to say about himself or his involvements and apparently does not have a great deal of income. Joseph let it be known when he last visited that he was then working in a garage in Manhattan, and he intimated he was living in Manhattan too. He also inferred he was making an honest living and was staying out of trouble. Because Joe makes it a point not to disclose much about himself to his family, he is not queried about it, therefore, Mr. LiCalsi doubted if members of the family would have information as to his son's whereabouts specifically. He was requested to ascertain the subject's address when the latter next visits his parents or have him communicate with the [Bureau]. He said he would do so. LiCalsi does not have a telephone in his apartment. He pointed out he has a large family in and around NY; a brother, Louis, lives in Bayside, Queens, and he has a large family, including [Redacted] both of whom are engineers and live in Long Island."
On the same date CW Joseph Valachi was re-contacted: "[Valachi] was exhibited a photograph of Joseph LiCalsi and immediately identified him as [Joe LaScali / LiCalsi]. [Redacted section]. Valachi was unable to pinpoint the reason for believing LiCalsi was in the Gambino Family rather than Lucchese."
On July 22, 1965 FBI reported: "Joseph LiCalsi, under investigation as an identified LCN member, continues among the missing in NYC; his whereabouts are not known to Federal or local authorities and no activity involving him has been reported by informants. LiCalsi has a brother Nelson LiCalsi, a dentist [who] has been uncooperative in the conduct of inquiry to locate Joseph LiCalsi and admittedly is on friendly terms with a number of NYC mobsters including Carlo Gambino."
On October 7, 1965 Dr. Nelson LiCalsi was re-interviewed: "...He said he could furnish no specific information regarding his brother whom he said he has no use for because of his anti-social attitude. Dr. LiCalsi said, further, he would not furnish any information to the authorities concerning his brother reasoning that as long as he was staying out of trouble he did not 'owe it to society' to cooperate with the FBI insofar as his brother was concerned. He added he has met Carlo Gambino and is of the opinion that criticism of Gambino 'by law enforcement agencies is very much overdrawn'. Gambino is a friend of the LiCalsi family, he said."
Joseph had been located by late November 1965, when he was served a subpoena in regard to an unspecified proceeding.
By March 1966 he was residing with his second wife at 41-48 40th St in Corona, Queens. Agents visited his residence early that month seeking an interview: "LiCalsi said that he is not employed and refused to make any disclosures as to his source of income. He said further that he had nothing to say to the FBI, now or any other time."
On March 25, 1966 LiCalsi's building superintendent was interviewed: "[Superintendent] advised Joseph LiCalsi is not regularly employed. He said further LiCalsi enters and leaves the building 'at all hours of the day and night and appears to hang around the area of 40th St and Queens Blvd, Queens'. Indication of his financial condition can be gained, he said, from the fact he has often been reduced to borrowing small sums of money from [superintendent] which he has not been able to repay within a reasonable time. He has owed him $8 for the past two weeks. LiCalsi's wife is regularly employed and appears to be the one responsible for her and LiCalsi's running expenses. Rent is paid by her by check and they are not in arrears. [Superintendent] expressed the opinion that LiCalsi is somehow involved in illegitimate activity judging by the hours he keeps and the fact that, although unemployed, he is usually well dressed. He does not appear to have a car and is often picked up by his cronies, none of whom have been seen visiting LiCalsi in his apartment. LiCalsi appears to be unusually security-conscious and always makes sure his apartment is in a locked condition, even when he is in the apartment. Repairs are made by arrangement when he is present."
On the same date the location's owner advised: "...LiCalsi gives no evidence of having regular legitimate employment judging from the irregularity of his appearance around his residence. [He] observed LiCalsi does not appear to be in the enjoyment of robust good health and he is a heavy drinker."
On June 2, 1966 began working as chauffeur with the Buckingham Livery Company in Manhattan. Business subsequently absorbed into Fugazy Limousine Service.
In September he was treated at St. John's Queens Hospital for an alcoholic convulsion.
On September 14, 1966 Unspecified Male advised FBI: "[UM] advised in recent months Joseph LiCalsi is supposed to have been working for Buckingham Livery Company in NYC. This is a limousine service and he is reportedly a driver for the firm...[LiCalsi's wife] continues in the employ of New York Furniture Exhibit, Inc. as a general clerk. From time to time, [UM] has seen LiCalsi contacting his wife in the vicinity of the company, location at Park Ave South and East 32nd St, Manhattan. According to what [UM] has noted and heard, LiCalsi meets his wife for the purpose of securing money from her, indicating that he does not have a steady job and depends upon her for handouts. [UM] noted that the company premises have been broken into twice in the past year or two, and the circumstances were such as to make [wife] suspect of complicity in making money in the company safe available to the burglars, quite possibly the subject among them. These events were made known to police assigned to the 13th Precinct in Manhattan."
On September 22, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Joseph LiCalsi described] as member of La Cosa Nostra, once prominent but now out of favor with organization."
On September 22, 1966 FBI reported: "During the past three month period, [Joseph LiCalsi] has been observed by Agents of the NYO to depart his residence at varying times during the daytime. He usually proceeds to the vicinity of Queens Blvd and 40th St, where he makes visits in the neighborhood stores with no apparent specific purpose. He has been observed to loiter at the corner of 40th St where he is contacted by unknown individuals who leave after brief conversation with him. This particular place for hanging out appears to be Broffni Inn at 43-45 40th St, Long Island City, where he spends a considerable part of his time. He is always neatly dressed in a business suit but wears neither a hat nor a necktie. From outward appearances, LiCalsi indicates involvement in some type of questionable activity in the 40th St area." FBI noted: "...LiCalsi is a chronic alcoholic according to his out-patient record at St. John's Hospital, NYC."
It was also noted that LiCalsi was observed on one occasion visiting the Phoenix Bar located at 2nd Ave and East 11th St in East Village, Manhattan: "[Bar] is a hangout of Joe and Tommy Cusimano, also known in criminal circles as the Satchel brothers. The Phoenix is described by [CI] as [redacted]."
The Cusimano brothers, Joseph (1907-1972) and Thomas (1901-1972), born in the Tomasso Natale section of Palermo, were identified by an FBI informant as Gambino Soldiers under Captain Charles Dongarra, LiCalsi's business partner in the mid-1940s.
In Late January 1967 LiCalsi quit his chauffeur job due to failing health.
On July 28, 1967 he died of a heart attack while visiting a neighbor's apartment in Corona. He was waked from the Lanza and Provenzano Funeral Home located at 43 2nd Ave in East Village.
On October 11, 1967 FBI Agents questioned the neighbor LiCalsi was visiting at the time of his death: "[Neighbor] claimed to be single; at the outset she claimed she was employed and later disclaimed this; she acknowledged being friendly with LiCalsi who was a 'drinking friend of mine in my apartment' on a number of occasions and who died in her apartment of a heart attack. Questions asked about her background, source of income, knowledge of LiCalsi's friends, associates and local activities aroused [neighbor's] hostility at which point the interview was terminated without incident."
By April 1950 LiCalsi resided with the Cacciatores at 2039 81st St in Bensonhurst.
The following year he was caught up in one of the decade's most publicized LCN murder cases.
On the morning of October 4, 1951 Genovese Member Guarino 'Willie' Moretti was shot to death inside Joe's Restaurant located on Palisades Ave in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Moretti had been a figure of influence since the 1920s and headed a large crew in the state.
Later that month Pat Collins, an ex-girlfriend of Joseph LiCalsi, contacted authorities and claimed she had driven LiCalsi and two unidentified men to Joe's Restaurant on the day Moretti was killed.
She claimed to have seen LiCalsi and the others greet Moretti outside and then enter the establishment, after which she circled the block and returned to pick the trio up. It was only the following day, Collins claimed, that she learned Moretti had been murdered. She told investigators that one of the hats left at the scene by the suspected killers belonged to LiCalsi.
On October 20 LiCalsi was picked up by the NYPD in Manhattan on a vagrancy charge and held pending further investigation.
Three days later the Bergen County Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant charging LiCalsi with murder.
He remained in New York pending an extradition hearing, which was held later that year.
In the lead-up Pat Collins suffered multiple blows to her credibility. The hat she claimed belonged to LiCalsi was determined not to fit the suspect. Initially claiming LiCalsi recruited her because of her expert driving ability, she proved unable to operate a vehicle and then changed her story to put LiCalsi in the driver's seat.
The extradition hearing was held December 21. As reported in the following day's edition of The Morning Call, presiding Judge Greenblatt stated: "This is one of the easiest cases I ever had to decide. This woman, from early youth, has led an unsavory existence and, I am convinced, there is not a shred of truth in the testimony she gave here." LiCalsi was promptly released. An FBI report later noted: "LiCalsi disappeared shortly thereafter, and his whereabouts have been unknown to [New Jersey State Police] since that time."
Information on LiCalsi's activities through the remainder of the decade isn't available.
By 1958 he was a formally inducted member of the Gambino Family and possibly reported to Domenico Arcuri, his former Upper East Side neighbor and now a Family Captain.
Arcuri and his son Joseph, a Gambino Soldier, operated the Arcuri Liquor Store at 302 East 78th St. They also held an interest in the Victory Star Social Club at the old East 76th St address. Both locations served as hubs for the Gambino Family's Upper Manhattan faction as well as members from other Families. The liquor store was used as a meeting point for members and associates from across the city and out of state.
Arcuri's crew included a still obscure group of New York members, along with Connecticut-based Gambino Soldiers Isadore 'Jerry' Castiglione, Ignazio 'Benny' Marchese, Nicola Patti and Frank Piccolo.
LiCalsi first came to the attention of the FBI in the early half of 1963. CI Alfred Santantonio, a Gambino Soldier, identified one 'Joe LiCalsi' as a fellow member. (The original report isn't available, so it's not known what, if any, additional details Santantonio provided. He was murdered that summer.)
On June 12, 1963 FBI CW Joseph Valachi reported: "[Valachi advised] Joseph LaScali (sic) was held as a material witness in the gangland slaying of hoodlum Willie Moretti. [Valachi] stated that [redacted]." Valachi initially identified LiCalsi as a Lucchese member.
On October 10, 1963 Valachi was re-contacted: "[The] correct spelling of Joseph LaScali's name was determined to be Joseph LiCalsi. Also, it was determined through [Valachi] that LiCalsi was a member of the Carlo Gambino Family rather than the Thomas Lucchese Family, as he originally stated."
Joseph's brother Louis LiCalsi, owner of a barbershop in Tampa, was interviewed by the FBI in late July 1964. During the interview LiCalsi stated re the Moretti case: "[Joseph LiCalsi] was picked up by the NYPD back in 1951; however, such was all because of some jealous woman who made up some story about him being involved...He said that the New York authorities refused to approve the extradition of his brother to New Jersey and subsequently, Joe was cleared of the whole mess. He stated he personally never heard of Joseph LiCalsi's friends [Redacted], claiming that he did not know the close friends or associates of his brother, Joe, and Joe went his way and they never palled around too much when in New York." Louis denied all knowledge of LCN: "[LiCalsi] related that he thought if he were a member of such an organization, he would not have to eke out a living as he has done all his life...He agreed he was born and raised on 8th Avenue in Tampa, Florida in the heart of the former Italian area; his parents came from Sicily and he knew numerous people of Sicilian descent, but he did not know of the existence of [LCN]."
Joseph's other brother, Dr. Nelson LiCalsi, was interviewed in August 1964: "...LiCalsi said the last time he saw his brother Joe was last March [during Nelson's hospital stay]. He was surprised, he said, to see Joe, since he had not seen him for several years owing to a 'falling out' between them which occurred for undisclosed reasons. It was noted by Doctor LiCalsi that his brother is a gambler and he intimated that there was lacking between them a brotherly rapport because of Joe's questionable activities. LiCalsi refused to enlarge upon what he knew concerning [Joe's activities]."
Questioned regarding various Gambino members, Dr. LiCalsi admitted knowing Gambino Underboss Joseph Biondo and Gambino Captains Paul Castellano and Charles Dongarra as patients. He identified Frank Biondo as his assistant in the Local 27 dental clinic and mentioned providing Paul Castellano with a bail surety ship 'some seven years ago'.
FBI reported: "...Concerning Carlo Gambino, [Doctor LiCalsi] said he had the latter as a patient and had him as a house guest on a number of occasions and regards Gambino as a 'fine gentleman'. He also claimed to know Paul Gambino. He said he hasn't seen Carlo for about two years...He also acknowledged knowing Domenico 'Mike' Arcuri and his son, Joe, operators of [Arcuri Liquor Store]. These persons he claimed to have met when he lived on East 77th St, not in Tampa [although] the Arcuris lived in Tampa years ago as did his parents and other family members. He said he knew [Former Gambino Member] Joe Parisi rather well and it was through Parisi that he became associated with Local 27...His limited comments concerning all of these persons were circumspectly favorable to them and if he had misjudged these people he certainly had been carrying out his professional practice in a vacuum of naiveté. That most of these characters have firmly established themselves as hoodlums with law enforcement came as a mild surprise to LiCalsi."
The LiCalsis' father Antonino (78y) was interviewed the following January: "He claimed to be a citizen of the US and exhibited his naturalization certificate to support this claim. He lived many years in the Tampa, FL area where he established his family. In the 1940's, the family migrated to NY in quest of economic improvement and lived in various places in Greater New York. LiCalsi resided for several years with their son, Nelson [but] never lived with son, Joseph, whom he regarded as unpredictable...As to when he saw his son, Joe, last, LiCalsi recalled it was four of five weeks ago. Joe visits his parents every three or four weeks, has little to say about himself or his involvements and apparently does not have a great deal of income. Joseph let it be known when he last visited that he was then working in a garage in Manhattan, and he intimated he was living in Manhattan too. He also inferred he was making an honest living and was staying out of trouble. Because Joe makes it a point not to disclose much about himself to his family, he is not queried about it, therefore, Mr. LiCalsi doubted if members of the family would have information as to his son's whereabouts specifically. He was requested to ascertain the subject's address when the latter next visits his parents or have him communicate with the [Bureau]. He said he would do so. LiCalsi does not have a telephone in his apartment. He pointed out he has a large family in and around NY; a brother, Louis, lives in Bayside, Queens, and he has a large family, including [Redacted] both of whom are engineers and live in Long Island."
On the same date CW Joseph Valachi was re-contacted: "[Valachi] was exhibited a photograph of Joseph LiCalsi and immediately identified him as [Joe LaScali / LiCalsi]. [Redacted section]. Valachi was unable to pinpoint the reason for believing LiCalsi was in the Gambino Family rather than Lucchese."
On July 22, 1965 FBI reported: "Joseph LiCalsi, under investigation as an identified LCN member, continues among the missing in NYC; his whereabouts are not known to Federal or local authorities and no activity involving him has been reported by informants. LiCalsi has a brother Nelson LiCalsi, a dentist [who] has been uncooperative in the conduct of inquiry to locate Joseph LiCalsi and admittedly is on friendly terms with a number of NYC mobsters including Carlo Gambino."
On October 7, 1965 Dr. Nelson LiCalsi was re-interviewed: "...He said he could furnish no specific information regarding his brother whom he said he has no use for because of his anti-social attitude. Dr. LiCalsi said, further, he would not furnish any information to the authorities concerning his brother reasoning that as long as he was staying out of trouble he did not 'owe it to society' to cooperate with the FBI insofar as his brother was concerned. He added he has met Carlo Gambino and is of the opinion that criticism of Gambino 'by law enforcement agencies is very much overdrawn'. Gambino is a friend of the LiCalsi family, he said."
Joseph had been located by late November 1965, when he was served a subpoena in regard to an unspecified proceeding.
By March 1966 he was residing with his second wife at 41-48 40th St in Corona, Queens. Agents visited his residence early that month seeking an interview: "LiCalsi said that he is not employed and refused to make any disclosures as to his source of income. He said further that he had nothing to say to the FBI, now or any other time."
On March 25, 1966 LiCalsi's building superintendent was interviewed: "[Superintendent] advised Joseph LiCalsi is not regularly employed. He said further LiCalsi enters and leaves the building 'at all hours of the day and night and appears to hang around the area of 40th St and Queens Blvd, Queens'. Indication of his financial condition can be gained, he said, from the fact he has often been reduced to borrowing small sums of money from [superintendent] which he has not been able to repay within a reasonable time. He has owed him $8 for the past two weeks. LiCalsi's wife is regularly employed and appears to be the one responsible for her and LiCalsi's running expenses. Rent is paid by her by check and they are not in arrears. [Superintendent] expressed the opinion that LiCalsi is somehow involved in illegitimate activity judging by the hours he keeps and the fact that, although unemployed, he is usually well dressed. He does not appear to have a car and is often picked up by his cronies, none of whom have been seen visiting LiCalsi in his apartment. LiCalsi appears to be unusually security-conscious and always makes sure his apartment is in a locked condition, even when he is in the apartment. Repairs are made by arrangement when he is present."
On the same date the location's owner advised: "...LiCalsi gives no evidence of having regular legitimate employment judging from the irregularity of his appearance around his residence. [He] observed LiCalsi does not appear to be in the enjoyment of robust good health and he is a heavy drinker."
On June 2, 1966 began working as chauffeur with the Buckingham Livery Company in Manhattan. Business subsequently absorbed into Fugazy Limousine Service.
In September he was treated at St. John's Queens Hospital for an alcoholic convulsion.
On September 14, 1966 Unspecified Male advised FBI: "[UM] advised in recent months Joseph LiCalsi is supposed to have been working for Buckingham Livery Company in NYC. This is a limousine service and he is reportedly a driver for the firm...[LiCalsi's wife] continues in the employ of New York Furniture Exhibit, Inc. as a general clerk. From time to time, [UM] has seen LiCalsi contacting his wife in the vicinity of the company, location at Park Ave South and East 32nd St, Manhattan. According to what [UM] has noted and heard, LiCalsi meets his wife for the purpose of securing money from her, indicating that he does not have a steady job and depends upon her for handouts. [UM] noted that the company premises have been broken into twice in the past year or two, and the circumstances were such as to make [wife] suspect of complicity in making money in the company safe available to the burglars, quite possibly the subject among them. These events were made known to police assigned to the 13th Precinct in Manhattan."
On September 22, 1966 FBI CI reported: "[Joseph LiCalsi described] as member of La Cosa Nostra, once prominent but now out of favor with organization."
On September 22, 1966 FBI reported: "During the past three month period, [Joseph LiCalsi] has been observed by Agents of the NYO to depart his residence at varying times during the daytime. He usually proceeds to the vicinity of Queens Blvd and 40th St, where he makes visits in the neighborhood stores with no apparent specific purpose. He has been observed to loiter at the corner of 40th St where he is contacted by unknown individuals who leave after brief conversation with him. This particular place for hanging out appears to be Broffni Inn at 43-45 40th St, Long Island City, where he spends a considerable part of his time. He is always neatly dressed in a business suit but wears neither a hat nor a necktie. From outward appearances, LiCalsi indicates involvement in some type of questionable activity in the 40th St area." FBI noted: "...LiCalsi is a chronic alcoholic according to his out-patient record at St. John's Hospital, NYC."
It was also noted that LiCalsi was observed on one occasion visiting the Phoenix Bar located at 2nd Ave and East 11th St in East Village, Manhattan: "[Bar] is a hangout of Joe and Tommy Cusimano, also known in criminal circles as the Satchel brothers. The Phoenix is described by [CI] as [redacted]."
The Cusimano brothers, Joseph (1907-1972) and Thomas (1901-1972), born in the Tomasso Natale section of Palermo, were identified by an FBI informant as Gambino Soldiers under Captain Charles Dongarra, LiCalsi's business partner in the mid-1940s.
In Late January 1967 LiCalsi quit his chauffeur job due to failing health.
On July 28, 1967 he died of a heart attack while visiting a neighbor's apartment in Corona. He was waked from the Lanza and Provenzano Funeral Home located at 43 2nd Ave in East Village.
On October 11, 1967 FBI Agents questioned the neighbor LiCalsi was visiting at the time of his death: "[Neighbor] claimed to be single; at the outset she claimed she was employed and later disclaimed this; she acknowledged being friendly with LiCalsi who was a 'drinking friend of mine in my apartment' on a number of occasions and who died in her apartment of a heart attack. Questions asked about her background, source of income, knowledge of LiCalsi's friends, associates and local activities aroused [neighbor's] hostility at which point the interview was terminated without incident."
