Who Is Joseph Massino? Age, Biography and Wiki
Joseph Massino was born on January 10, 1943, and sadly passed away in 2023. He was a prominent figure in the American Mafia and served as the boss of the Bonanno crime family. Known for his extensive criminal activities and eventual cooperation with law enforcement, Massino's life story is a captivating mix of loyalty, betrayal, and survival within the world of organized crime. His legacy remains a topic of interest for true crime enthusiasts and historians alike.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 10, 1943 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 14 September, 2023 |
| Died Place | Glen Cove, New York, U.S. |
Popularity
Joseph Massino's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As Joseph Massino was a significant figure during his life, physical descriptions are often noted. Although specific measurements are not widely documented, he was reported to be approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and maintained a robust physique typical of individuals in his line of work.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Joseph Massino was married to his long-time wife, who remained a part of his life until his passing. They had children together, though specific details regarding his familial relationships or any extramarital connections remain private. His commitment to his family, alongside his criminal ties, reflects the duality of his life as both a devoted family man and a mobster.
Massino first met his future wife Josephine Vitale in 1956, and married her in 1960. The couple had three daughters. Massino also befriended Josephine's brother, Salvatore Vitale, who, after briefly serving in the Army, became one of Massino's most trusted allies. While athletic in youth, Massino was an avid cook, and grew overweight in adulthood.
His weight gained him the nickname "Big Joey", and during a 1987 racketeering trial, when he asked FBI agent Joseph Pistone who was to play him in a film adaptation of his undercover work, Pistone joked that they could not find anyone fat enough. By 2004, Massino was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure as well.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2023, Joseph Massino's net worth was estimated to be in the range of $10 million. His wealth came from various illegal activities, including extortion, loansharking, and drug trafficking. However, exact figures regarding his salary remain ambiguous due to the clandestine nature of his operations.
Career, Business and Investments
Massino rose through the ranks of the Bonanno crime family, eventually becoming a boss in the late 1990s. His criminal career spanned several decades, with involvement in multiple illegal enterprises. After extensive legal troubles and a life-changing decision to testify against fellow mobsters, Massino shifted from being a feared mobster to becoming a government witness. This drastic career change revealed significant insights into the Mafia's operations, impacting law enforcement strategies in organized crime.
By the late 1960s, Massino was a Bonanno associate. He led a successful truck hijacking crew, with the assistance of his brother-in-law Salvatore Vitale and carjacker Duane Leisenheimer, while fencing the stolen goods and running numbers using the lunch wagon as a front.
He also befriended another mob hijacker, future Gambino crime family boss John Gotti. Increasingly prosperous, Massino opened his own catering company, J&J Catering, which became another front for his activities. In 1973, boss Natale Evola died.
On February 23, 1974, at a meeting at the Americana Hotel in Manhattan, the Commission named Massino's mentor, Rastelli as boss. On April 23, 1976, Rastelli was convicted of extortion, and on August 27, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In his absence Carmine Galante, a former consigliere and convicted drug trafficker, seized control of the Bonannos as unofficial acting boss.
Social Network
While Joseph Massino was not known for active engagement on social media platforms, his story has been explored in various documentaries and articles discussing the Mafia's legacy in America. These platforms serve as a hub for discussions about his life, criminal endeavors, and the implications of his testimony against the Mafia.
To minimize the damage from informants or undercover investigations Massino decentralized the family's organization. He created a clandestine cell system for his crews, forbidding them from contacting one another and avoiding meeting their capos. He would instead create a new committee that would relay his orders to the crews.
In contrast to his contemporaries, particularly the publicity-friendly Gotti and the conspicuous feigned insanity of Gigante, Massino himself was also able to operate with a relatively low public profile; both Pistone and mob writer Jerry Capeci would consequently refer to Massino as the "last of the old-time gangsters".
Education
Details on Joseph Massino's educational background are limited, as his early life choices often led him into the world of organized crime rather than academic pursuits. His street smarts and practical experience in the mob were pivotal to his notorious career, solidifying his status within the criminal underworld.
He was one of three sons of Neapolitan-American Anthony and Adeline Massino. Raised in Maspeth, Queens, Massino has admitted to being a juvenile delinquent by the age of 12 and claimed that at 14 he ran away from home to Florida. He dropped out of Grover Cleveland High School in tenth grade.
