Giuseppe Falcone (1902 - 1992)

Born 27 Jan 1902 in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy

Ancestors

Husband of Maria Abruzzo — married 26 Dec 1921 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Died Mar 1992 at age 90 in Utica, Oneida, New York, United States

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Biography

Joseph Falcone is born Giuseppe Falcone in Sciacca, Agrigento province, Sicily, on 27 January 1902.^[1] He is the son of Antonio Falcone, who was born Antonio Projetto, and Maria Sclafani. His father, Antonio Falcone, age 46 (b. 1856), industrioso, reports on 30 January to city officials the birth on 27 January of a baby to his wife, Maria Sclafani, age 32 (b. 1870), in their home in via V. C..? The baby is a boy and is named Giuseppe.^[2]

Joseph and his siblings are all named Falcone, a surname their father unofficially adopted. In his own paperwork he is still listed by his birth name, "Projetto." Their names on the manifest are derived from Antonio's civil birth record. When Joseph and his brother, Salvatore, petition for naturalization, the certificate of arrival, Form 145, for naturalization purposes from the US Department of Labor Naturalization Service, certificate of arrival division, Ellis Island, names the voyage below and calls them by the surname "Projelto."

Departing Palermo on the SS San Giovanni on 23 November 1907, these passengers are listed in lines 50-54 and connected with a bracket:

• Antonio Projetto, 51 (b. 1856), laborer, married
• Salvatore Projetto, son, 16 (b. 1891), laborer
• Antonina Projetto, 15 (b. 1892), daughter
• Giuseppe Projetto, 4 (b. 1903), son
• Maria Sclafani, 41 (b. 1866), Antonio’s wife

They all last resided and were born in Sciacca. They leave there Antonio’s mother in law, Giuseppa Bono. They are going to New York, NY to meet Antonio’s brother-in-law (and the children’s uncle) Vincenzo Sabella at 165 Mott? St.^[3]

Antonio and Maria move to Utica around 1919, when Antonio retires from the grocery business. In Utica, Joseph resumes their father's business, which in 1937 is located at 536 Bleecker St.^[4]

Giuseppe Falcone, age 20 (b. 1901), son of Antonio Falcone and Maria Scalfani, marries Maria Abruzzo, age 18 (b. 1903), daughter of Giuseppe Abruzzo and Giuseppina Sabella, on 26 December 1921 in Kings county, New York.^[5] Giuseppe lives at 301 2nd Ave., Utica, NY. Age 20, not previously married, grocery dealer, born in Girgenti, Italy, son of Antonio Falcone and Maria Scalfani. Maria lives at 40 Hopkins St., age 18, not previously married, born in Manhattan, daughter of Giuseppe Abruzzo and Giuseppina Sabella. They are married in St. Lucy’s Church in Brooklyn, 26 December 1921. Stamped 6 January 1922. Witnesses: James Fiore and Lillian Fiore. The celebrants and witnesses all sign their names.^[6]

Joseph and Mary have three children: Mary (1922), Josephine (1925), and Anthony J. (1933).^[7]

Joseph Falcone declares his intention to become a naturalized citizen. He is age 20, a grocer, white, with a dark complexion, stands 5’5” (unsure; page is cut off on right side), weight 165#, black hair, brown eyes. Born in Sciacca Italy on 27 January 1902. Lives at 515 Bacon St., Utica, NY. Emigrated from Naples on the Patria, arriving in the port of New York 16 April 1907. Last foreign residence in Sciacca. Wife Mary born in the US, lives in Utica. Joseph signs his own name. Sworn 7 April (must be 1922).^[8]

Mary is born 23 October 1922.^[7]

In 1923, brothers Joseph and Salvatore Falcone, and Pietro Lima, are bondsmen for Salvatore Calleri, 25, a suspect in a 7 August abduction.^[9]

Giuseppe Falcone, 515 Bacon St., Utica, NY, merchant, born 27 January 1902 in Sciacca, Italy, emigrated from Palermo 24 November 1907 to New York arriving 8 December 1907 on the San Giovanni. He declared his intention on 7 April 1922 in the same court. Declaration no. 7006. Wife Mary was born 16 April 1903 in New York City and lives in Utica. He has one child, Mary, born 23 October (no year given) in Utica, NY. Sworn 10 October 1924. He signs his own name. Witnesses are Antonio Faga, court interpreter, living in Utica and Alfred Bertolini, real estate, living at 413 Second St., Utica. They sign their names 10 October 1924.^[10]

Giuseppe Falcone is admitted as a US citizen on 18 February 1925.^[11]

Mother Maria dies on 11 June 1925. She last lived at 515 Bacon St. in Utica, an address owned by her son, Salvatore, in the 1920-30 censuses.^[12]

At the time of her death, her sons Salvatore and Joseph are well known in Utica as the Falcone Brothers, wholesale grocers.^[12]

Josephine is born 23 July 1925.^[7]

In the 1930 census of Utica, NY, taken 5 April, Joseph Falcone owns his home at 1623 Mohawk St. It is worth $17,000. Joseph is 28 and married when he was 20 (1922). His wife, Mary, is 26 (b. 1904) and married at 18. Their children at home are Mary, 7 (b. 1923), and Josephine, 4 yr 9 mos (b. Jul 1925). Also living with them is a servant, Lydia Sharron, 20 (b. 1910), single. Joseph was born in Italy. HIs wife was born in NY of Italian parents. Their children were born in NY. Lydia was born in NY of Canadian parents. Joseph immigrated in 1905 and is a naturalized citizen. He is manager of a real estate office.^[13]

In the 1930s, Joseph and his brother, Salvatore, are known to be powerful vice and political figures in Utica, according to a letter Utica’s public safety Commissioner J. Carroll Hamlin writes to U.S. Sen. Jacob Javits.^[14]

Anthony J. is born 16 August 1933.^[7]

Father Antonio dies in Miami Beach on 3 August 1937 at the age of 81.^[15] His funeral is conducted in Utica, New York, in Joseph's home on 9 August. ^[4]

Joseph's wife, Mary, petitions for naturalization in December 1937 under Section 4 of the Act of September 22 1922 as amended.^[7] This amended law allowed American women who married foreign nationals and lost their US citizenship thereby, to regain it through naturalization. It's not clear why she needed to do this, since she was included in Joseph's naturalization in 1925. Possibly she is already concerned that he could be stripped of his citizenship and deported, and does not want to be forced to leave the country. Cascio-10 20:45, 21 July 2022 (UTC)

On 21 January 1938, a "super still" is discovered in the home of Paolina Aiello at 1166 Webster in Utica.^[16][17] She is the mother-in-law of Joseph's nephew, Anthony.

Joseph and Salvatore are indicted for running an illegal alcohol ring.^[18] Salvatore and Joseph Falcone's trial begins in May 1939.^[17] Charged with conspiracy to avoid taxes on alcohol, they are found guilty on 17 June 1939, and sentenced to 17 months in prison and a fine of $6,000.^[19] They appeal, winning their temporary freedom.^[18] On 13 February 1940, the Circuit Court of Appeals reverses their convictions.^[19]

In the 1940 federal census of Utica, Ward 13, Oneida, NY, taken 5 April, Joseph Falcone, 38 (b. 1902), heads a household at 1623 Mohawk St. He owns his home, worth $6,000. With him are his wife, Mary, 36 (b. 1904), children Mary L. 17 (b. 1923), Josephine M. 14 (b. 1926), and Anthony J., 6 (b. 1934), and niece Mary Dimino, 15 (b. 1925). Joseph was born in Italy and the rest of his family were born in New York. He is the proprietor of a wholesale grocery.^[20] Mary Dimino appears in two households in this census. She is also listed with her sister Lena, 27, at 517 Bacon St in Utica. Neither Dimino sister is employed.^[21]

In 1943, Joseph is elected president of the Lega Trinacria.^[22]

In 1957, Salvatore and Joseph, along with their enforcer, Russell Rosario Mancuso^[23], are the three delegates from Utica to a Mafia convention in Apalachin, New York.^[24] Salvatore disappears and evades arrest.^[19]

During state investigations of organized crime, Joseph flees Utica, only returning when the hearings are completed.^[25]

Anthony Falcone, attorney for his uncle, Joseph Falcone, denies that his uncle is planning to move to Florida. His home at 1623 Mohawk, near the Parkway, appears inhabited. Joseph suffers asthma and a heart condition.^[26]

In the summer of 1958, Mancuso is described as an enforcer for Joseph Falcone's Mafia empire in Utica by Martin F. Pera of the Federal Narcotics Bureau. Robert Kennedy names Joseph, Salvatore, and Salvatore Falcone Jr. among more than one hundred people in the Mafia network in Utica. Sherman Willse, head of the Senate Labor Rackets Investigating Committee, notes that a company operated by Joseph Profaci, the Carmela Mia Packing Co in Brooklyn, makes shipments to Joseph Falcone in Utica and to Salvatore Falcone in Miami. He suggests these are related to narcotics and gambling.^[23]

Joseph is convicted in 1960 on a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the Apalachin meeting. The conviction is overturned.^[25]

On 17 August 1962, 60-year old Joseph Falcone surrenders to authorities in New York City, saying he’d been in Florida all this time on doctor’s advice.^[25]

In 1962, Joseph testifies before a State Investigation Commission. He describes the 1957 Apalachin convention “as something like a picnic.”^[24]

In 1968, an Oneida County grand jury investigates organized gambling. That June, a raid turns up an alleged numbers operation worth $250,000. It's alleged that profits from gambling finance a loansharking operation. Joseph is called to testify and spends eight minutes with the grand jury. He is accompanied by Salvatore's son, Anthony.^[24]

Death of Joseph

Joseph dies at age 90 on 27 March 1992. He last resided in Utica, NY.^[1][25]

Joseph Falcone, 1902-1992, is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Utica, NY.^[27]

Joseph's widow, Mary, dies at age 95 on 1 January 1999. She last lived in Utica, NY 13501.^[28]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VMPW-LPD : 20 May 2014), Joseph Falcone, Mar 1992; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. ↑ Atto di nascita, Giuseppe Falcone. (1902, January 30). Record no. 91. "Italia, Agrigento, Sciacca, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1861-1929," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9949-KCB9?cc=2043548&wc=MC5P-QWL%3A349457201%2C349565501%2C349576001 : 22 May 2014), Agrigento > Sciacca > Nati 1899-1908 > image 954 of 2932; Tribunale di Sciacca (Sciacca Court, Sciacca).
3. ↑ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95R-4L5J?cc=1368704&wc=4XCB-J92%3A1600372340 : 23 February 2018), Roll 1056, vol 2324-2325, 7 Dec 1907 > image 546 of 936; citing NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} “Antonio Falcone Dies At 75; Ill Several Years.” Utica Daily Press. 17 August 1937.
5. ↑ "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QL7C-3JSJ : 22 June 2022), Entry for Giuseppe Falcone and Maria Abruzzo, 1921.
6. ↑ Marriage of Giuseppe Falcone and Maria Abruzzo. State of New York Certificate and Record of Marriage. Cert no. 383. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/9656014
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MZ-3XDZ?cc=1999177&wc=MDSL-PM9%3A326203201%2C327296701 : 8 April 2021), Oneida > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1937-1938 no 10345-10753 > image 969 of 1527; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
8. ↑ Declaration of Intention no. 7006, State of New York, County of Oneida Supreme Court. "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MZ-QYVX?cc=1999177&wc=MDSL-WWL%3A326203201%2C327162701 : 8 April 2021), Oneida > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1924-1925 vol 20, no 4500-4749 > image 149 of 679; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
9. ↑ “Repaint Car Since Car On Parkway.” The Utica Observer-Dispatch. 22 August 1923. P. 4.
10. ↑ "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MZ-QBTT?cc=1999177&wc=MDSL-WWL%3A326203201%2C327162701 : 8 April 2021), Oneida > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1924-1925 vol 20, no 4500-4749 > image 160 of 679; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
11. ↑ "New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MZ-Q1WC?cc=1999177&wc=MDSL-WWL%3A326203201%2C327162701 : 8 April 2021), Oneida > Petitions for naturalization and petition evidence 1924-1925 vol 20, no 4500-4749 > image 161 of 679; Citing multiple County Clerk offices of New York.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} “Death Removes Woman After Year’s Illness.” The Utica Observer-Dispatch. 11 June 1925. P. 4.
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRCQ-S4?cc=1810731&wc=QZFQ-LGM%3A649437801%2C649628901%2C649555601%2C1589284236 : 8 December 2015), New York > Oneida > Utica > ED 136 > image 4 of 32; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
14. ↑ LaDuca, R. (2009, May 4). Day 2: The Mob Files. Observer Dispatch (Utica, NY). http://www.uticaod.com/x845562226/The-Mob-Files-Day-2-Man-shot-twice-in-head-ruled-a-suicide
15. ↑ "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP8H-94C : 9 March 2018), Antonia Falcone, 03 Aug 1937; citing Miami Beach, Dade, Florida, United States, reference 13616; FHL microfilm 2,135,950.
16. ↑ “Two Stills Seized By Agents, Police.” Daily Sentinel (Rome, NY) 22 January 1938. P. 3.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} “Alcohol Trial Opens Third Week.” Daily Sentinel (Rome, NY) 28 May 1939. P. 11.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} “Falcones Freed Pending Appeal.” Daily Sentinel (Rome, NY) 7 July 1939. P. 12.
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1 19.2} “Friday Rites in Utica For Salvatore Falcone.” The Daily Press (Utica, NY) 12 October 1972.
20. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MB-7CRG?cc=2000219&wc=QZXR-RP2%3A790105101%2C793634401%2C805504801%2C805505701 : accessed 21 July 2022), New York > Oneida > Utica City, Utica, Ward 13 > 67-82 Utica City Ward 13 (Area A - part) > image 5 of 21; 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.
21. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MB-77DR?cc=2000219&wc=QZXR-PHM%3A790105101%2C793634401%2C805498501%2C805498801 : accessed 23 May 2018), New York > Oneida > Utica City, Utica, Ward 8 > 67-29 Utica City Ward 8 (Area A - part) > image 30 of 30; 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.
22. ↑ Society Names Falcone President. Utica Daily Press. Fultonhistory.com.
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Martin, Paul. “Mancuso Invokes ‘Fifth’ 68 Times.” Utica Daily Press. 2 July 1958. P. 1.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1 24.2} Ruffing, Ed. “Grand Jury Calls Falcone, Mancuso In Gambling Quiz.” Utica Observer-Dispatch. 19 September 1968. P. 2B.
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3} “Falcone Brothers Busted In 1957 Apalachin Raid.” Published 7 May 2009. http://bitterqueen.typepad.com/friends_of_ours/2009/05/falcone-brothers-busted-in-1957-apalachin-raid.html Accessed 21 May 2018.
26. ↑ ‘Joe Falcone Hasn’t Sold, Isn’t Moving’. Daily Press (Utica, NY) 7 April 1958. P. 2-A.
27. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 May 2018), memorial page for Joseph Falcone (1902–1992), Find A Grave Memorial no. 128801922, citing Calvary Cemetery, Utica, Oneida County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Geanygal (contributor 48091759) .
28. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:3VV7-R3Z : 7 January 2021), Mary A Falcone, 01 Jan 1999; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).