Gaetano Lucchese (1899 - 1967)

Born 2 Dec 1899 in Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Ancestors

Husband of Concetta Mary (Vassallo) Lucchese — married 25 Sep 1927 (to 13 Jul 1967) in Corona, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Died 13 Jul 1967 at age 67 in Lido Beach, Hempstead, Nassau, New York, United States

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Biography

Gaetano Lucchese, the son of Baidassare Lucchese and Francesca Cinquemani, is born 2 December 1899 in the first official district of Palermo, Sicily.^[1]

Migration

On the manifest of the SS Duca d’Aosta, sailing from Naples on 8 November 1911, and arriving in New York on 20 November, are these passengers in sequence, and traveling together, as indicated by a bracket enclosing their names:

6. Baldassare Lucchese, 40 (b. 1871), married, barber

7. Gaetano Lucchese, 12 (b. 1899)

8. Pietra Lucchese, 16 (b. 1895), dressmaker: these three are going to a brother in law, Antonino Cali, at 217 E 106th St., NY

9. Francesca Cinquegrani (actually, Cinquemani), 40 (b. 1871), married, housewife: she is traveling with her husband, Baldassare Lucchese (same destination)

10. Antonino Lucchese, 9 (b. 1902)

11. Rosalia Lucchese, 5 (b. 1906)

12. Concetta Lucchese, 4 (b. 1907)

13. Giuseppe Lucchese, 1 (b. 1910)

They are all from Palermo and have no relatives back in Italy. They are going to New York City. The second sheet confirms they were all born in Palermo and describes them as having rosy complexions and chestnut hair and eyes.^[2]

His criminal career begins

Gaetano's family settles in East Harlem. He becomes involved in the 107th Street Gang as a teenager. A machine shop accident takes the index finger and thumb from his right hand.^[3]

In the 1920 federal census of Manhattan, taken 16 January, Bardasare Lucchese, 48 (b. 1871), heads a household with his wife Francesca, 41 (b. 1878), at 1997 2nd Ave. Living with them are their children Thomas, 19 (b. 1900), Tony, 17 (b. 1902), Rose, 13 (b. 1906), Joseph, 9 (b. 1910), and James, 6 (b. 1913). Except for James, born in NY, all members of the family were born in Italy and emigrated in 1912. Baldassare is a barber working in a shop. Thomas is a mechanic working in a shop. Tony is a helper in a candy shop.^[4]

At age 22, he steals a car and is arrested. Police tag him with the nickname "Three Finger Brown" after a popular professional baseball player, Mordecai Brown. He is sentenced to Sing Sing. When he is released on parole, he goes to work for Joe "The Boss" Masseria.^[3]

In the 1925 New York state census of New York County, AD 18, taken 1 June, Baldarso Luchese (Baldassare Lucchese), 57, heads a household at 1997 Second Ave with his wife Frances, 52, and children Thomas, 25 (b. 1900), Anthony, 22, Rose, 19, Joseph, 15, and James, 11. James was born in the US but the rest of the family were born in Italy and have been in the US for 13 years. Baldassare is a barber, Frances is a housewife, Thomas is a mechanic, Anthony is a plasterer, Rose is a milliner, and Joseph and James are in school.^[5]

Marriage and children

Gaetano marries Concetta Vassallo on 25 September 1927 in Corona, Queens, NY. They have two children: Baldassare/Robert T. (1928) and Frances (1931).

Baldassare is born 5 July 1928 in New York City.^[6]

Elwyn Raab's history tells us that Lucchese enlisted in the Masseria gang during Prohibition. He "formed partnerships with Lucky Luciano."^[7]

The Castellammarese War

At the beginning of the Castellammarese War, Lucchese is a lieutenant of Tommy Reina. Reina is killed in February 1930 on orders from Joe Masseria.^[8] Tom Gagliano installs Joseph Pinzolo as Reina's replacement, but Reina's capos don't accept him. Reina’s old lieutenants pretend to accept the replacement but secretly plotted against Pinzolo.

Lucchese and Salvatore "Charlie Lucky Luciano" Lucania meet secretly with Masseria's chief adversary, Salvatore Maranzano. On 15 April, they lure Joe Masseria to a meeting where he is killed.

In the 1930 federal census of Queens, NY, taken 22 April, Thomas Lucchese, 30 (b. 1900), born in Italy, heads a household at 3238 97th St with his wife Concetta, 21 (b. 1909), and son Baldassare, 1 yr 2 mos (b. Feb 1929). Thomas and his wife married when he was 28 and she was 19 (2 ya; in 1928). Thomas emigrated in 1912 and is an alien resident. He is a manager of a plumbing company.^[9]

In the spring of 1930, Lucchese signs a lease on Suite 1007 of the Brokaw Building at 1487 Broadway, where he does business as California Dry Fruit Importers. The body of Joseph Pinzolo is found here on 5 September 1930. Lucchese may have set Pinzolo up. He is indicted, but the charges are dropped. ^[8][10]

Frances is born 4 June 1931 in New York City.^[6]

On 10 September 1931, Maranzano is killed: set up by Lucky Luciano with the aid of Tommy Lucchese. Pretending to be disaffected with Luciano, Lucchese got into Maranzano’s organization and learned he feared the tax man. Maranzano told his men not to carry guns so when the IRS showed up they wouldn’t get busted. Men claiming to be from the IRS walked into the office and assassinated Maranzano. They were Lucchese’s hit men. He was there. He nodded toward Maranzano so they’d know who to kill.^[3]

Raab writes of Lucchese, "A Luciano confidant, his duplicity set up the murder of Salvatore Maranzano, enabling Luciano to create the five families and the Commission in 1931." For his part, Luciano rewards Lucchese with the number two position in Tommy Gagliano's gang in the Bronx.^[7] Lucchese is portrayed as Luciano's right hand man in an A&E documentary series episode devoted to the biography of Tommy Lucchese.^[3]

During what Joseph Valachi describes as "the purge" at the end of the Castellammarese War, he calls Tommy Lucchese from Jack Reina’s house. Lucchese and Gagliano interview him together at another location to determine his loyalty.^[8]

After the war

Lucchese maintains a low profile and is a successful earner. He uses his connections with Jewish gangsters to get into the kosher chicken business. Then he went after the garment industry in the 1920-30s. He makes friends among leaders in the garment industry by selling them good booze for their suppliers. He invests his Prohibition earnings as a bootlegger, selling imported high-end liquor to speakeasies, by loaning it out at extortionate rates. He is notable for having so much cash to loan during the Great Depression (1929-1945). When his debtors failed to pay him back, he became their business partner and took over their assets. He took over the garment cutters union, effectively controlling the industry. He corrupted city hall and paid off police to stay out of prison.^[3]

Lucchese is Gagliano's long-time lieutenant when the boss becomes fatally ill with a heart condition in the early 1930s. He hands the family business to Lucchese, after whom the organization is subsequently known.^[7]

New Jersey

Gaetano Lucchese petitions for naturalization in the US District Court at Newark, NJ. He lives at 1093 Briarway, Palisades, Bergen, NJ. He is an executive. He is 41 years old, born 1 December 1899 in Palermo, Italy. Male, white, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, 5’5”, 155#, index finger of his right hand is missing. Italian national. Married to Catherine on 25 September 1927 in Corona, Queens, NY. She was born in New York, NY on 22 June 1908 and now lives with him. He has two children, Baldassaro, born 5 July 1928, and Frances, born 4 June 1931, both born in New York, NY, and live in Palisades, NJ. Gaetano’s last foreign residence was in Palermo. He migrated from Naples to New York, NY 21 November 1911 on the SS Duca d'Aosta under the name Gaetano Lucchese. Declared his intention to become a citizen on 19 October 1936 in Supreme Court of Queens County at Jamaica, NY. He signs his own name.^[6]

Lucchese's Palisades address is a third of a mile from the last address of Giuseppe Morello, who was assassinated in 1930.

In the 1940 federal census of Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey, taken 17 April, Thomas Luchese, 40 (b. 1900), heads a household at 1093 Briar Way with his wife Concetta, 31 (b. 1909). He was born in Italy and his wife and children in NY. Their children at home are Baldassare, 11 (b. 1929), and Frances, 8 (b. 1932). Thomas is a contractor with his own business.^[11]

Thomas Luchese registers for the draft for WWII on 16 February 1942. He lives at 1093 Briar Way, Palisade, Bergen, New Jersey. He is 42, born in Palermo, Italy on 1 December 1899. His contact is Mrs. Concetta Luchese at the same home address. His employer is Fordham Hoisting Equipment Co. at 2323 Washington Ave, Bronx, NY. He is the secretary of the company. He signs his name Thomas Luckese. Thomas is 5’5” and 152# with brown eyes and hair and a dark complexion. His right index finger is amputated.^[12]

Tommy Lucchese becomes a naturalized citizen in 1943. The witnesses on Gaetano's naturalization petition are Thomas Valenti, manufacturer, who lives at 2637 12th St., Astoria, Long Island, NY; and Anthony Vacala (maybe Vadala), a printer, who lives at 3919 103rd St., Corona, Long Island, NY. They both sign their names 21 November 1941. Gaetano’s emigration is confirmed by a certificate of arrival no. 2 440878 from the INS. Declaration of Intention no. 55584. Gaetano swears an oath of allegiance on 25 January 1943. His petition for citizenship is granted. Line 12. List 705 Cert no 5701024.^[6]

Politics

In 1945, Lucchese backs Vincent Impellitteri for New York City council president. He forces the mayor, William O'Dwyer, to resign, and Impellitteri takes over as mayor. He is a thoroughly corrupt and incompetent mayor.^[3]

In the 1950 federal census of Queens, NY taken 1 April, Thomas B. Luckese, 50, born in Italy, heads a household at 106 Parsons? St with his wife Concetta A., age 41, born in NY. Thomas is a coat and suit manufacturer working on his own account.^[13]

Tommy Gagliano dies from heart disease on 16 February 1951 in Valley Stream, Hempstead, on Long Island. Gaetano Lucchese is his successor. Critchley calls him a construction and lathing investor of Nunzio Pomilla, who was Gagliano’s partner in several Bronx businesses.^[10]

Lucchese builds a large home in Lido Beach, on Long Island. Neighbors notice that he entertains many prominent people as guests at his new home. His facade as a successful businessman keeps his name out of Estes Kefauver's commission hearings.^[3]

In 1952 he is called before the New York State crime commission. He pleads the fifth.^[3]

In August 1957, Tommy Lucchese, his underboss Stefano LaSalle, and consigliere Vincent Rao, are believed to be in attendance at the Apalachin meeting with capos John Ormento and Joseph Rosato, and member Aniello Migliore. Ormento is from Lido Beach.^[14][15][16]

In 1962, daughter Frances marries Thomas Gambino, son of Carlo Gambino, who arranged the marriage. This gave him access to the Lucchese racket, hijacking freight from JFK Airport, by corrupting the freight handlers’ union. John Davis, author of Mafia Dynasty, explains that because of the marriage, Lucchese cut Gambino in.^[17]

In 1963, Joe Valachi testifies before the Senate committee on organized crime. He identifies the Lucchese crime family and Tommy as its boss.^[3]

In the 1960s, Mariano Macaluso is Tommy Lucchese’s consigliere. Mariano’s father is Marco Macaluso, who was among the first officers of Morello’s Ignatz Florio Co-op, incorporated in December 1902.^[10]

Lucchese fixes sporting events on which there is a lot of illegal betting. Boxing matches are especially prone to being fixed. He is suspected of paying off Sonny Liston in a series of fights against Cassius Clay (his name in 1962)/Mohammed Ali (his name in 1963, when they fought again in Miami)..^[3]

Lucchese begins spending more time at his Florida residence. He is experiencing symptoms of the brain tumor that will take his life: headaches, dizzy spells, and chest pains.^[3]

Death of Thomas

Thomas dies at his $100K home in Lido Beach, NY, on 13 July 1967 at age 67.^[3][18]

He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens, NY.^[19]

Lucchese did not name a successor in his crime family, so the other bosses selected Tony Corallo, who was still in prison. During his incarceration, the Lucchese Family was led in the interim by Carmine Tramunti.^[3]

Concetta dies 2 May 2007.^[20]

Research Notes

Baptismal record not found outer districts of Palermo in civil birth records search conducted 8 March 2017. Cascio-10 13:19, 8 March 2017 (EST)^{[21][22][23][24]} He was not born in Corleone on either of these dates.^[25]

Sources

1. ↑ Uff. 1., v. 389, n. 2698. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSMZ-Y931-8?i=615
2. ↑ Manifest accessed via SteveMorse.org 27 September 2017.
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12} A&E. (2020, December 27). Mobsters: Tommy Lucchese and The Mafia [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRiiWSonP0s
4. ↑ Year: 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 18, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1218; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 1240 Enumeration District: 1240; Description: Manhattan borough Assembly District 18, Tract 164 (part) bounded by E 103rd, 2nd Ave, E 102nd, 3rd Ave Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
5. ↑ New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1925; Election District: 15; Assembly District: 18; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 64 District: A·D· 18 E·D· 15 Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., State Census, 1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Petitions for Naturalization from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey at Newark, New Jersey, 1924-1945; Series Number: M2123; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; NARA Microfilm Number: 122 Date Range: 1941 Oct 31 - 1941 Dec 1 Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1878-1945 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Raab, Selwyn. Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires. New York: St. Martin’s Press (Thomas Dunne Books), 2005. Print. Pp. 102-3.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Maas, Peter. The Valachi Papers. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1968. Print. P. 87.
9. ↑ Year: 1930; Census Place: Queens, Queens, New York; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 0219; FHL microfilm: 2341327 District: 0219; Description: QUEENS BOROUGH, ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 3 (PART), BOUNDED BY (N) 25TH AVE.; (E) 98TH; (S) NORTHERN BLVD.; (W) 96TH, ASTORIA AVE., 94TH. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Critchley, D. (2009). The origin of organized crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931. Routledge.
11. ↑ Year: 1940; Census Place: Fort Lee, Bergen, New Jersey; Roll: m-t0627-02307; Page: 13B; Enumeration District: 2-110 Enumeration District: 2-110; Description: FORT LEE BOROUGH BOUNDED BY (N) MOHEGAN WAY, MOHEGAN WAY EXTENDED; (E) BOROUGH LIMITS; (S) BOROUGH LIMITS; (W) PUBLIC SERVICE RAILWAY Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
12. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New Jersey, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 398 Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
13. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-GQHW-99Z6-8?personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A6XTB-L9V8
14. ↑ Bauer, J. (2019, October 14). [Forum post.] https://educationforum.ipbhost.com/topic/26098-research-from-lamar-waldron/page/3/
15. ↑ Guests at the Mafia Bar-B-Que. (n.d.) http://www.greaterowego.com/apalachin/guests.html Accessed 5 March 2017.
16. ↑ Hortis, C. A. (2014). The mob and the city: The hidden history of how the Mafia captured New York. New York: Prometheus Books.
17. ↑ Mafia Nation. (2015, September 18). The Gambino Crime Family - Full Documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVjZqdlhipc
18. ↑ Underworld king dies. (1967, July 14). The Express (Lock Haven, PA). P. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/5797503/
19. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/650/thomas-luchese: accessed 07 November 2022), memorial page for Thomas “Three Finger Brown” Luchese (1 Dec 1899–13 Jul 1967), Find a Grave Memorial ID 650, citing Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave .
20. ↑ SSN 086-44-0052. Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2014.
21. ↑ "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897B-LNLJ?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-WM9%3A351055601%2C351055602%2C351578801 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > Palermo > image 1797 of 2666; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
22. ↑ "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-LJ9C?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-WM9%3A351055601%2C351055602%2C351578801 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > Palermo > image 1801 of 2666; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
23. ↑ "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-LJ3Z?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-WM9%3A351055601%2C351055602%2C351578801 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > Palermo > image 1911 of 2666; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
24. ↑ "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-LJSF?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-WM9%3A351055601%2C351055602%2C351578801 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > Palermo > image 1919 of 2666; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
25. ↑ "Italia, Palermo, Diocesi di Monreale, Registri Parrocchiali, 1531-1998," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6L2S-FG9?cc=2046915&wc=MG34-ZN5%3A351041801%2C351041802%2C351319001 : 20 May 2014), Corleone > San Martino > Indice (Battesimi) 1881-1904 > image 116 of 153; Archivio di Arcidiocesi di Palermo (Palermo ArchDiocese Archives, Palermo).