Francesco Todaro (abt. 1891 - 1944)

Born about 1891 in San Cipirello, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Died 29 Nov 1944 at about age 53 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States

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Biography

On 21 April 1885 in San Cipirello, Giuseppe Todaro, age 50 (b. 1835), borgese, reports the birth on 20 April in via Uorinto to Giuseppa Di Maggio, his wife, contadina, with whom he lives, a baby boy who is presented and named Francesco.^[1]

Francesco emigrates in 1907, joining his brothers in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Brothers Joseph and Frank Todaro are high-ranking members of the New Orleans Mafia.^[2]

Joseph and Frank are in a double in-law marriage. Joseph marries Florence Giammalva in October 1913. Frank marries her sister, Nunzia Giammalva, in July 1914.

Francesco Todaro, age 26 (b. 1888), son of Giuseppe Todaro and Giuseppina De Maggio, marries Nunzia Giammalva, age 19 (b. 1895), daughter of Clemente Giammalva and Giacoma Mescena [Moscona], on 15 July 1914 in New Orleans, LA.^[3]

When Frank registers for the draft, he gives a different birthdate than his civil birth registration. There are no births registered 1886-1875 in San Cipirello that are a match for Frank. Cascio-10 18:17, 29 March 2024 (UTC)

Frank Todaro registers for the draft for WWI on 27 May 1917 in New Orleans, LA. He is 39, born 5 July 1887 in San Cipirello, Italy. He lives at Laura Coast, Algiers, New Orleans, LA. In line 6 where it asks, if not a citizen of what country are you a citizen or subject and he’s written “State,” suggesting he’s filed first papers to get voting rights in Louisiana. He is a truck farmer, self-employed. He supports his wife, mother, and son. No military service. Claims exemption to support his family. Frank signs his name. He is of medium height and build with black eyes and hair.^[4]

In the 1920 federal census of Orleans County, Louisiana, taken 7 January, Joseph Todaro heads a household at 839 St. Mary. He is 42 (b. 1877), from Italy, immigrated in 1909. His wife Florence, 27 (b. 1892), immigrated in 1899. Their children at home are Josephine, 5 (b. 1914), and Giacomina, 2 yr 2 mo. (b. Oct 1917), both born in Louisiana.

Also living with them is Joseph’s mother, Josephine, 74 (b. 1845), a widow, who immigrated from Italy in 1911; and Joseph’s brother, Frank, also from Italy, and his family. Frank Todaro is 29 (b. 1890), immigrated in 1907. His wife is Nancy, 24 (b. 1895), also born in Italy, immigrated in 1899. Their children are Joseph, 3 yr 1 mo (b. Dec 1916), and Josephine, 1 yr 6 mos. (b. Jul 1918), both born in Louisiana. Joseph is the proprietor of a barroom. His brother, Frank, is also working on his own account as a bartender in a barroom.^[5]

According to his Social Security identification file, Clement Anthony Todaro is born 13 June 1928.^[6][7]

In 1936, Frank is a capo or crew chief in the New Orleans crime family. He sponsors Carlos Marcello into the organization. That year, Carlos marries Frank's niece. Frank helps the Marcello family with their jukebox business.^[2]

Son Joseph, age 22 (b. 1916), marries Mary Iannazzo, age 21 (b. 1917), on 27 September 1938 in Orleans, LA.^[8]

In the 1940 federal census of New Orleans, LA Ward 11, taken 16 April, Frank Todaro, 51 (b. 1889), heads a household at 2630 South Broad St with his wife Nancy, 44 (b. 1896), both born in Italy, papers filed for naturalization, and son Clement, 12 (b. 1928), born in Louisiana. Frank is part owner of a liquor store and Nancy is the owner of a laundry branch.^[9]

In 1944, Frank takes over leadership of the New Orleans Mafia. He dies six months later from throat cancer.^[2]

Death of Frank

Frank Todaro, age 55 (b. 1889), born in Sanciparello, Italy, son of Jos Todaro and Josephine Dimaggio, married to Nancy Giamalva, dies on 29 November 1944 in Louisiana.^[10]

At 2626 S. Broad St. on Wednesday 29 November 1944 at 5:45 AM Frank Todaro dies. Beloved husband of Nancy Giamalva, father of Joseph and Clement Todaro, Mrs. Frank Leggio, and Mrs. Louis Gallo. Son of the late Josephine Di Maggio and Joseph Todaro. Brother of Salvadore Todaro and the late Charles Todaro. Survived by 5 grandchildren. Age 55. Native of Sanciparello, Italy and a resident of NOLA for 38 years. Interned in Metairie Cem.^[11]

Son Clement Anthony, age 23 (b. 1928), marries Adeline Mary Badalamenti, age 19 (b. 1932), on 27 June 1951 in Orleans Parish, LA.^[12]

Clement remarries at an unknown date to Margaret Christina.

Clement dies from pneumonia complications in Jonesboro, Louisiana, at age 77 on 12 October 2005.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Atto di nascita, Francesco Todaro. (1885, April 21). Record no. 73. "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97B-CTP9?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-PTG%3A351055601%2C353384901%2C954438201 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > San Cipirello > Nati, pubblicazioni, matrimoni, cittadinanze, morti 1869-1885 Indici decennali (vari) 1876-1885 Nati, pubblicazioni, matrimoni, cittadinanze, morti 1886-1893 > image 1676 of 2887; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Jones, T.L. (2019, April 6). The story of New Orleans Mafia boss Carlos Marcello - Part 2. Gangsters, Inc. https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-story-of-new-orleans-mafia-boss-carlos-marcello
3. ↑ "Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ4-BW5Z : Mon Oct 23 14:48:19 UTC 2023), Entry for Francesco Todaro and Giuseppe Todaro, 15 Jul 1914.
4. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYRB-6J1?cc=1968530&wc=9FWS-ZNL%3A928313101%2C1071237101 : 7 September 2019), Louisiana > New Orleans City no 13; K-Wilmore, Joseph E. > image 5003 of 6034; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX2-ZN?cc=1488411&wc=QZJR-ZNM%3A1036471301%2C1037714401%2C1037796301%2C1589332533 : 14 December 2015), Louisiana > Orleans > New Orleans Ward 10 > ED 165 > image 10 of 50; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Todaro [Obituary]. (2005, December 2). The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA). P. 3. HeritageHub
7. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VSM9-LJS : 11 January 2021), Clement A Todaro, 12 Oct 2005; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
8. ↑ "Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJZ-SFR9 : Sat Mar 09 02:38:54 UTC 2024), Entry for Joseph Todaro and Frank Todaro, 27 Sep 1938.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MR-59L6?cc=2000219&wc=QZXP-6XV%3A790102701%2C791269701%2C792491101%2C792614201 : accessed 13 January 2024), Louisiana > Orleans > New Orleans City, New Orleans, Ward 11 > 36-317 New Orleans City Ward 11 (Tract 94 - part) > image 18 of 42; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
10. ↑ "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZJFL-P9W2 : Sat Oct 14 01:20:06 UTC 2023), Entry for Frank Todaro and Jos Todaro, 29 Nov 1944.
11. ↑ Todaro [Obituary]. (1944, November 30). New Orleans Item. Heritage Hub
12. ↑ "Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF4G-T1C : 10 March 2018), Clement Anthony Todaro and Adeline Mary Badalamenti, 27 Jun 1951; citing Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, parish courthouses, Louisiana; FHL microfilm 4,241,039.