Frank Amato (1902 - 1931)

Born 6 Nov 1902 in New York City, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 28 May 1931 at age 28 in New York City, New York, United States

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Biography

Frank Amato is born 6 November 1902 in Manhattan, the son of Pharo Amato, 31 (b. 1871), and Antoinette Leema, 27 (b. 1875), both of Italy.^[1][2]

In 1906, Frank's father, a resident of Los Angeles for at least two years, is killed in what the press calls a "race war" between African-Americans and Italians.^[3][4][5][6]

In the 1916 New York City directory, Antonina Amato, widow of Faro Amato, is listed at her home address of 225 E. 107th St.^[7]

In the 1925 New York state census, taken 1 June, Marianina Amato, 42 (b. 1883), born in Italy, heads a household at 225 E. 107th St. with her sons Edward, 24 (b. 1901), and Frank, 22 (b. 1903), both born in the US, both employed as chauffeurs.^[8]

Frank "Big Dick" Amato is an early criminal associate of Joe Valachi, active in a robbery gang, before coming under the influence of Ciro Terranova.^[9]

In the 1930 federal census of Manhattan, taken 5 April, Lena Amato, 55 (b. 1875), a widow, married at age 18 (c. 1893), born in Italy, emigrated in 1892, heads a household at 225 E. 107th St. with her sons Edward, 32 (b. 1898), and Frank, 27 (b. 1903), both single and born in New York. Edward is a floor man at a dance hall and Frank is a clerk in a clothing office.^[10]

Terranova is an ally of Joseph Masseria. When the Castellammarese War begins in 1930, Terranova's gang bears the brunt of the violence from Salvatore Maranzano's associates. Valachi is on the Maranzano side.^[9]

On one occasion, Valachi and Salvatore “Sally Shields” Shillitani intend to assassinate Rao and Amato, but Shillitani fails to disengage the safety lock on his weapon.

Amato and close associate Joseph Rao are shot at by Maranzano's men in 1930. Rao is wounded, and Amato escapes.^[9]

Death of Frank

On 28 May 1931, associates of Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll, a competitor of Terranova ally Dutch Schultz, fire upon Rao, Amato, and Dominic Bologna in Harlem, killing Amato and Bologna.

Frank Amato, born 2 November 1902, dies 28 May 1931 at age 28.^[11]

His last address is 225 E 107th St. He is 29 (b. 1902), single, a salesman. born in the US.^[2]

He is buried in Old St. Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx. He is buried with Saverio Amato, born 28 March 1887 and died 13 November 1934.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WW1-Y69 : 11 February 2018), Frank Amato, 06 Nov 1902; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference cn 45213 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,983,684.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WVY-RX1 : 10 February 2018), Frank Amato, 28 May 1931; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 2,069,211.
3. ↑ Race War Has Broken Out In Los Angeles. (1906, April 18). Daily Nevada State Journal, p. 1.
4. ↑ Two Murdered Every Month. (1906, December 30). Los Angeles Herald, Vol. 34, No. 90, p. 7. Retrieved 1 March 2019 from UCR Center for Biographical Studies and Research.
5. ↑ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9SV-XRGD?cc=2001287&wc=SJ5R-HZS%3A285176601%2C285510501 : 22 August 2018), Los Angeles, Los Angeles > Death certificates 1906 no 600-2320 > image 745 of 1823; California State Archives, Sacramento.
6. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 01 March 2019), memorial page for Faro Amato (1871–19 Apr 1906), Find A Grave Memorial no. 155323084, citing Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA ; Maintained by Steve and Linda Malkson (contributor 48608432) .
7. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 Title: New York, New York, City Directory, 1916 Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
8. ↑ New York, State Census, 1925 New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 23; Assembly District: 18; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 76 District: A·D· 18 E·D· 23
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Feather, B. (2016, January 21). Genovese Family bios. of early members. Mafia Membership Charts Website. Retrieved 24 April 2019 from http://mafiamembershipcharts.blogspot.com/2016/01/genovese-family-bios-of-early-members.html
10. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census Year: 1930; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0820; FHL microfilm: 2341306 District: 0820; Description: MANHATTAN BOROUGH, ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 18 (PART), BOUNDED BY (N) E. 108TH; (E) 2D AVE.; (S) E. 107TH; (W) 3D AVE.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 01 March 2019), memorial page for Frank Amato (2 Nov 1902–28 May 1931), Find A Grave Memorial no. 167354132, citing Old Saint Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx, Bronx County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Bronx Cop (contributor 47509482) .