Angelo Meli: Difference between revisions
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Angelo Meli was born on February 10<ref>Angelo Meli, U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration, MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd, <nowiki>https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi</nowiki></ref>, 1897, in [[San Cataldo, Sicily]], the youngest son of 13 children<ref name="Story">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29231954/detroit-free-press/|title=Angelo Meli Tells His Story|page=2|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|quote=Cataldo, Sicily, 1897. He was the youngest son of 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Meli. He was 17 when he entered the United States through New York and went into the hard coal region near Scranton, Pa., where a brother lived at Dunmore. [...] "I worked in a Pittsburgh foundry as a helper, then as, a molder before coming moved to Detroit in 1918." said Meli. [...] Meli wife, born Jennie Dimercurio, whom he married in 1924, [...] Then, in 1952, the U.S. Government moved to revoke Meli's citizenship on the grounds that he cancealed citizenship his police record when he applied for citizenship in Brooklyn 1929. [...] Meli's son, Vincent H., [...] was married 13 years ago to Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo (Sam) Perrone, an ex convict and one-time bootlegger. [...] A daughter, Marie Antoinette (Tony) has been married 11 years to Jack Tocco, son of William (Black Bill) Tocco, another prohibition-era figure with a number of arrests in his background.|date=October 13, 1963|accessdate=August 22, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> born to Vincenzo Meli and Maria Antonia Gugaglio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/v/Archivio+di+Stato+di+Caltanissetta/Stato+civile+italiano/San+Cataldo/Nati/1897/32/005660095_00098.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=0|work=Antenati|language=it|quote=L'anno milleottocentonovantasette, addì diciassette di Febbraio [...], nella casa Comunale [...] è comparso Meli Vincenzo, [...], il quale mi ha dichiarato che alle ore [...] del dì sedici del corrente mese, [...] da Gugaglio Maria Antonia sua moglie [...] è nato un bambino di sesso maschile che egli mi presenta, e a cui dà il nome di Angelo.|title=Immagine 98|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> Meli immigrated to the United States at the age of 17, settling in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], working as a coal miner.<ref name="Story"/> He worked in a [[Pittsburgh]] foundry and moved to [[Detroit]] in 1918.<ref name="Story"/> |
Angelo Meli was born on February 10<ref>Angelo Meli, U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration, MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd, <nowiki>https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi</nowiki></ref>, 1897, in [[San Cataldo, Sicily]], the youngest son of 13 children<ref name="Story">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29231954/detroit-free-press/|title=Angelo Meli Tells His Story|page=2|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|quote=Cataldo, Sicily, 1897. He was the youngest son of 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Meli. He was 17 when he entered the United States through New York and went into the hard coal region near Scranton, Pa., where a brother lived at Dunmore. [...] "I worked in a Pittsburgh foundry as a helper, then as, a molder before coming moved to Detroit in 1918." said Meli. [...] Meli wife, born Jennie Dimercurio, whom he married in 1924, [...] Then, in 1952, the U.S. Government moved to revoke Meli's citizenship on the grounds that he cancealed citizenship his police record when he applied for citizenship in Brooklyn 1929. [...] Meli's son, Vincent H., [...] was married 13 years ago to Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo (Sam) Perrone, an ex convict and one-time bootlegger. [...] A daughter, Marie Antoinette (Tony) has been married 11 years to Jack Tocco, son of William (Black Bill) Tocco, another prohibition-era figure with a number of arrests in his background.|date=October 13, 1963|accessdate=August 22, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> born to Vincenzo Meli and Maria Antonia Gugaglio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dl.antenati.san.beniculturali.it/v/Archivio+di+Stato+di+Caltanissetta/Stato+civile+italiano/San+Cataldo/Nati/1897/32/005660095_00098.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=0|work=Antenati|language=it|quote=L'anno milleottocentonovantasette, addì diciassette di Febbraio [...], nella casa Comunale [...] è comparso Meli Vincenzo, [...], il quale mi ha dichiarato che alle ore [...] del dì sedici del corrente mese, [...] da Gugaglio Maria Antonia sua moglie [...] è nato un bambino di sesso maschile che egli mi presenta, e a cui dà il nome di Angelo.|title=Immagine 98|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> Meli immigrated to the United States at the age of 17<ref>"Angelo Meli: Ellis Island and Other New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957". MyHeritage.com [online database]. <nowiki>https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/record-10512-61064831/angelo-meli-in-ellis-island-other-new-york-passenger-list</nowiki>.</ref>, settling in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], working as a coal miner.<ref name="Story"/> He worked in a [[Pittsburgh]] foundry and moved to [[Detroit]] in 1918.<ref name="Story"/> In Detroit, Meli worked as a baker and restaurateur. Throughout his time there, he owned a bakery, two restaurants, and the Whip Cafe which he owned with "Black" Leo Cellura, another member of the Detroit Partnership. |
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His brother Frank and nephew [[Vincent Meli|Vincent "Little Vince" Meli]] were members of the [[Detroit Partnership]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/363379987/?terms=vincent%2Bmeli|title=Reputed mobster of Detroit Meli dies at 87|last=Ashenfelter|first=David|quote=Vincent Angelo Meli, a reputed member of the Detroit Mafia, [...] The FBI described Vincent Meli's father, also named Frank, and uncle Angelo Meli as Detroit-area Mafia leaders.|page=23|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|date=January 10, 2008|accessdate=August 22, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
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In 1924, Meli married Jennie Dimercurio,<ref name="Story" /> and had two sons, Vincent H. and Salvatore, and two daughters, Maria Antoinette and Angela.<ref name="Meli obit">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54863228/obituary-for-angelo-meli/|title=District Deaths|quote=MARINE CITY – Angelo Meli, 72, who formerly owned a horse farm south of Marine City, was buried today in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Ten-Mile Road, following funeral services in Holy Family Catholic Church, Detroit. Meli identified some years ago as a member of the Detroit Mafia family, died Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [...] Survivors are his widow, Jeannie; a son, Vincent H., Flint; two daughters, Mrs. Jack Antoinette Tocco and Mrs. Sam Angela Ludico; a brother, Frank, and 16 grandchildren. The family requests that contributions be made to Lt. Salvatore A. Meli American veterans Post No. 2 Building Fund. Lieutenant Meli was a son of Mr. Meli.|work=[[The Times Herald]]|location=Port Huron, Michigan|page=2|date=December 6, 1969|accessdate=August 22, 2020|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Before his death, he had 16 grandchildren. In May 1929, Meli became a naturalized citizen at the age of 32 through the US District Court in Brooklyn, New York.<ref name="Story" /><ref>“Index to the Naturalization Petitions of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1865-1957”, Angelo Meli U.S. Naturalization Records, NARA #M1164, MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd. <nowiki>https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/research/collection-10024/us-naturalization-records</nowiki></ref><ref>“DEPORTATION IS BALKED: Court Backs Man Once Called Detroit Public Enemy No. 1.” 1957.New York Times (1923-), Dec 25, 25. <nowiki>https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/deportation-is-balked/docview/114280811/se-2?accountid=14667</nowiki></ref> |
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In 1945, Meli's nephew, Marie Antoinette Meli, married attorney [[Bill Bufalino]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/marie-bufalino-obituary?pid=182933899|title=MARIE A. TONI BUFALINO|work=[[The Detroit News]]|location=Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan|via=[[Legacy.com]]|quote=Beloved wife of the late William. [...] Sister of Vince Meli.|date=December 9, 2002|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> a cousin of [[Northeast Pennsylvania]] mob boss [[Russell Bufalino]]. In 1950, Meli's son, Vincent, married Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo Perrone, a Detroit bootlegger.<ref name="Story"/> In 1952, his daughter Maria, married Detroit Mafia boss [[Jack Tocco]], son of mob boss [[William Tocco]].<ref name="Story"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bcfhsterlingheights.com/tributes/Maria-Tocco|title=Maria "Toni" Tocco|work=Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home|quote=Tocco, Maria “Toni” age 84, November 25, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Jack. [...] Dear sister of the late Vincent Meli, Sam Meli and Angela Lucido.|location=Sterling Heights, Michigan|date=November 25, 2018|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> |
In 1945, Meli's nephew, Marie Antoinette Meli, married attorney [[Bill Bufalino]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/marie-bufalino-obituary?pid=182933899|title=MARIE A. TONI BUFALINO|work=[[The Detroit News]]|location=Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan|via=[[Legacy.com]]|quote=Beloved wife of the late William. [...] Sister of Vince Meli.|date=December 9, 2002|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> a cousin of [[Northeast Pennsylvania]] mob boss [[Russell Bufalino]]. In 1950, Meli's son, Vincent, married Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo Perrone, a Detroit bootlegger.<ref name="Story"/> In 1952, his daughter Maria, married Detroit Mafia boss [[Jack Tocco]], son of mob boss [[William Tocco]].<ref name="Story"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bcfhsterlingheights.com/tributes/Maria-Tocco|title=Maria "Toni" Tocco|work=Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home|quote=Tocco, Maria “Toni” age 84, November 25, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Jack. [...] Dear sister of the late Vincent Meli, Sam Meli and Angela Lucido.|location=Sterling Heights, Michigan|date=November 25, 2018|accessdate=August 22, 2020}}</ref> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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After a heart attack in 1963, Meli moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida<ref>Obituary 1 -- No Title, Chicago Tribune (1963-1996); Dec 4, 1969; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune pg. B22 <nowiki>https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/obituary-1-no-title/docview/168945852/se-2?accountid=14667</nowiki></ref>. Meli died there on December 1, 1969.<ref name="Meli obit" /> On December 6, 1969, he was buried in [[Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Southfield, Michigan)|Holy Sepulchre Cemetery]], [[Southfield, Michigan]].<ref name="Meli obit"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:27, 11 November 2021
Angelo Meli | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 10, 1897 San Cataldo, Sicily, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | December 1, 1969 (aged 72) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Citizenship | American |
| Occupation | Mobster |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Bill Bufalino (nephew-in-law) Vincent Meli (nephew) Jack Tocco (son-in-law) William Tocco (co-father-in-law) |
| Allegiance | Detroit Partnership |
Angelo Meli (Template:IPA-it; February 10, 1897 – December 1, 1969) was an Italian-American mobster who became a consigliere and then leading Chairman of the Detroit Partnership criminal organization of La Cosa Nostra.
Early life
Angelo Meli was born on February 10[1], 1897, in San Cataldo, Sicily, the youngest son of 13 children[2] born to Vincenzo Meli and Maria Antonia Gugaglio.[3] Meli immigrated to the United States at the age of 17[4], settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania, working as a coal miner.[2] He worked in a Pittsburgh foundry and moved to Detroit in 1918.[2] In Detroit, Meli worked as a baker and restaurateur. Throughout his time there, he owned a bakery, two restaurants, and the Whip Cafe which he owned with "Black" Leo Cellura, another member of the Detroit Partnership.
His brother Frank and nephew Vincent "Little Vince" Meli were members of the Detroit Partnership.[5]
In 1924, Meli married Jennie Dimercurio,[2] and had two sons, Vincent H. and Salvatore, and two daughters, Maria Antoinette and Angela.[6] Before his death, he had 16 grandchildren. In May 1929, Meli became a naturalized citizen at the age of 32 through the US District Court in Brooklyn, New York.[2][7][8]
In 1945, Meli's nephew, Marie Antoinette Meli, married attorney Bill Bufalino,[9] a cousin of Northeast Pennsylvania mob boss Russell Bufalino. In 1950, Meli's son, Vincent, married Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo Perrone, a Detroit bootlegger.[2] In 1952, his daughter Maria, married Detroit Mafia boss Jack Tocco, son of mob boss William Tocco.[2][10]
Criminal career
In the early 1920s, Meli, Leo Cellura, and Chester LaMare opened the Venice Cafe in Detroit.[11] The Meli Boys excelled in extorting brothels, gambling houses and bootlegging operations. With Meli's assistance, LaMare soon dominated crime in that city. It required an effort by state investigators on recommendations from Michigan Governor, Alex Groesbeck to smash the organization.[11] Thirty-one criminals were convicted of liquor law violations.[11] Meli escaped the crackdown and entered into an agreement with Salvatore Catalanotte, boss of Detroit's Unione Siciliana. With Catalanotte's support, Meli formed the Eastside Mob with top aides Leo Cellura, William Tocco, and Joseph Zerilli. Catalanotte was instrumental in establishing the partnership between the Eastside Mob and the River Gang and other Jewish groups.
After Catalanotte's death on February 14, 1930, LaMare began raiding Meli-controlled speakeasies, and liquor storage houses. Meli responded by ordering LaMare's murder,[11] which happened on February 6, 1931. After LaMare's murder, Meli oversaw the merger of Detroit's various mob factions into what later became the Detroit Partnership.[11]
After the establishment of the Partnership
Once the Detroit Partnership was established, Meli became consigliere. He was a major figure in illegal weapons smuggling and in settling labor disputes. His involvement in labor racketeering helped Jimmy Hoffa's rise in the Teamsters Union.[12] He suffered only one conviction; on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. Meli had extensive legitimate business holdings in the Michigan area.
Death
After a heart attack in 1963, Meli moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida[13]. Meli died there on December 1, 1969.[6] On December 6, 1969, he was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.[6]
References
- ^ Angelo Meli, U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration, MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd, https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/research/collection-10002/us-social-security-death-index-ssdi
- ^ a b c d e f g "Angelo Meli Tells His Story". Detroit Free Press. October 13, 1963. p. 2. Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Cataldo, Sicily, 1897. He was the youngest son of 13 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Meli. He was 17 when he entered the United States through New York and went into the hard coal region near Scranton, Pa., where a brother lived at Dunmore. [...] "I worked in a Pittsburgh foundry as a helper, then as, a molder before coming moved to Detroit in 1918." said Meli. [...] Meli wife, born Jennie Dimercurio, whom he married in 1924, [...] Then, in 1952, the U.S. Government moved to revoke Meli's citizenship on the grounds that he cancealed citizenship his police record when he applied for citizenship in Brooklyn 1929. [...] Meli's son, Vincent H., [...] was married 13 years ago to Pauline Perrone, daughter of Santo (Sam) Perrone, an ex convict and one-time bootlegger. [...] A daughter, Marie Antoinette (Tony) has been married 11 years to Jack Tocco, son of William (Black Bill) Tocco, another prohibition-era figure with a number of arrests in his background.
- ^ "Immagine 98". Antenati (in Italian). Retrieved August 22, 2020.
L'anno milleottocentonovantasette, addì diciassette di Febbraio [...], nella casa Comunale [...] è comparso Meli Vincenzo, [...], il quale mi ha dichiarato che alle ore [...] del dì sedici del corrente mese, [...] da Gugaglio Maria Antonia sua moglie [...] è nato un bambino di sesso maschile che egli mi presenta, e a cui dà il nome di Angelo.
- ^ "Angelo Meli: Ellis Island and Other New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957". MyHeritage.com [online database]. https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/record-10512-61064831/angelo-meli-in-ellis-island-other-new-york-passenger-list.
- ^ Ashenfelter, David (January 10, 2008). "Reputed mobster of Detroit Meli dies at 87". Detroit Free Press. p. 23. Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
Vincent Angelo Meli, a reputed member of the Detroit Mafia, [...] The FBI described Vincent Meli's father, also named Frank, and uncle Angelo Meli as Detroit-area Mafia leaders.
- ^ a b c "District Deaths". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. December 6, 1969. p. 2. Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
MARINE CITY – Angelo Meli, 72, who formerly owned a horse farm south of Marine City, was buried today in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Ten-Mile Road, following funeral services in Holy Family Catholic Church, Detroit. Meli identified some years ago as a member of the Detroit Mafia family, died Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [...] Survivors are his widow, Jeannie; a son, Vincent H., Flint; two daughters, Mrs. Jack Antoinette Tocco and Mrs. Sam Angela Ludico; a brother, Frank, and 16 grandchildren. The family requests that contributions be made to Lt. Salvatore A. Meli American veterans Post No. 2 Building Fund. Lieutenant Meli was a son of Mr. Meli.
- ^ “Index to the Naturalization Petitions of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1865-1957”, Angelo Meli U.S. Naturalization Records, NARA #M1164, MyHeritage.com [online database], MyHeritage Ltd. https://records.myheritagelibraryedition.com/research/collection-10024/us-naturalization-records
- ^ “DEPORTATION IS BALKED: Court Backs Man Once Called Detroit Public Enemy No. 1.” 1957.New York Times (1923-), Dec 25, 25. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/deportation-is-balked/docview/114280811/se-2?accountid=14667
- ^ "MARIE A. TONI BUFALINO". The Detroit News. Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. December 9, 2002. Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Legacy.com.
Beloved wife of the late William. [...] Sister of Vince Meli.
- ^ "Maria "Toni" Tocco". Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home. Sterling Heights, Michigan. November 25, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
Tocco, Maria "Toni" age 84, November 25, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Jack. [...] Dear sister of the late Vincent Meli, Sam Meli and Angela Lucido.
- ^ a b c d e Kavieff, Paul R. (June 10, 1999). "The crosstown mob wars of 1930-31". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
In the early '20s, LaMare established a base of operations in Hamtramck. He opened a popular nightclub known as the Venice Cafe. With his business partners, Angelo Meli and Black Leo Cellura, LaMare grew rich and powerful, shaking down brothels and gambling houses for protection and muscling into the bootlegging rackets. Hamtramck became so corrupt and wide open that in the fall of 1923, numerous complaints prompted Michigan Gov. Alex Groesbeck to take drastic action. Groesbeck ordered detachments of the Michigan State Police into Hamtramck to take control of the city government. This operation resulted in the arrest and eventual conviction of 31 men, including Hamtramck Mayor Peter C. Jezewski, for Prohibition law violations. [...] Meli sent word to Joe Amico and the other fish market assassins that unless they put their boss Chester LaMare "on the spot," they would die. Amico, who was the closest to LaMare, orchestrated the final betrayal of the boss. [...] LaMare's death effectively ended the crosstown mob wars. Amico and Macklin were later tried for LaMare's murder and acquitted. Leaders of the Eastside Mob became the founders of what was to become Detroit's modern day Mafia organization.
- ^ Moldea, Dan E. (1978). The Hoffa Wars: The Rise and Fall of Jimmy Hoffa. Charter Books. ISBN 0-441-34010-5.
- ^ Obituary 1 -- No Title, Chicago Tribune (1963-1996); Dec 4, 1969; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Tribune pg. B22 https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/obituary-1-no-title/docview/168945852/se-2?accountid=14667
Further reading
- Kelly, Robert J. (2000). Encyclopedia of Organized Crime in the United States. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-30653-2.
- Sifakis, Carl (2005). The Mafia Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-8160-5694-3.
- Sifakis, Carl (2001). The Encyclopedia of American Crime. New York: Facts on File Inc. ISBN 0-8160-4040-0.
- Moldea, Dan E. (1978). The Hoffa Wars: The Rise and Fall of Jimmy Hoffa. Charter Books. ISBN 0-441-34010-5.
- Brandt, Charles (2004). I Heard You Paint Houses. New Hampshire: Steerforth Press. ISBN 1-58642-077-1.
External links
- "Angelo Meli". Find a Grave. June 11, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
