Aniello Dellacroce
Encyclopedia
Aniello John "Mr. Neil" Dellacroce (March 15, 1914 - December 2, 1985), also known as "Father O'Neil" and "The Tall Guy", was an Italian-American gangster
and underboss of the Gambino crime family
. A capo of his own crew for many years he rose to the position of underboss when Carlo Gambino
moved Joseph Biondo
aside.
, Italy
and grew up in Little Italy
. Dellacroce was a tall, broad-shouldered man who was usually chomping on a cigar. Dellacroce became a butcher's assistant, but work was scarce and he took to crime. As a youngster, Dellacroce was jailed once for petty theft. Dellacroce was a traditional Cosa Nostra mobster and believed in following the traditions and being loyal to the family and its boss.
He sometimes walked around Manhattan
dressed as a priest and called himself "Father O'Neil" to confuse both the police and rival mobsters. Dellacroce allegedly committed a killing dressed as the priest. He also allegedly used a body double for some public events. Dellacroce preferred to keep a low profile and was said to have a menacing stare. NYPD detective Ralph Salerno said that the only mobsters whose eyes sent shivers down his spine were Dellacroce and Carmine Galante
. "You looked at Dellacroce's eyes and you could see how frightening they were. The frigid glare of a killer."
Dellacroce had a son Armond, a Gambino associate, a son Ronald and daughters Shannon Connelly and Sean Connelly. Dellacroce's sister Mary had three sons: John Ruggiero Sr., Angelo Ruggiero
and Salvatore Ruggiero
. Dellacroce was the great uncle of John Ruggiero Jr., Angelo Ruggiero Jr. and Salvatore Ruggiero Jr. Dellacroce was known as "Neil"; an Americanization
of his Italian name. Some Gambino members nicknamed him "the Polack
", although this was never uttered in his presence.
Albert Anastasia
. After the disappearance and presumed murder of longtime boss Vincent Mangano
, Anastasia became family boss and appointed Dellacroce as a caporegime
with his own crew. Dellacroce bought the Ravenite Social Club
in Little Italy, which soon became a popular Gambino social club and Dellacroce's headquarters. On October 25, 1957, gunmen murdered Anastasia in a Manhattan hotel barbershop and underboss Carlo Gambino
took over the family.
Gambino was suspected of plotting Anastasia's murder with Lucchese crime family boss Tommy Lucchese
and Luciano crime family capo Vito Genovese
. Dellacroce was a strong Anastasia supporter, but he chose to pledge loyalty to Gambino. In 1965, Gambino moved the aging Joseph Biondo
from underboss position and appointed Dellacroce to replace him. In March 1973, Dellacroce was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to five years in prison.
It was widely presumed that Dellacroce was Gambino's heir apparent. However, on his deathbed in 1976, Don Carlo announced to the family that his cousin and brother-in-law, Paul Castellano
, would be the new family boss. Dellacroce and many of his supporters were angered with Gambino's choice. Although Castellano had been a major earner for the family for many years, Dellacroce and others saw him as a businessman rather than a gangster.
To appease Dellacroce, Gambino persuaded Castellano to agree to keep Dellacroce as underboss. In addition, Gambino gave Dellacroce control of the traditional criminal activities, such as robbery, hijacking and extortion, in Manhattan. In 1976, Gambino died and Castellano became boss. Always the loyal family man, Dellacroce pledged his loyalty to Castellano. Castellano soon banned drug dealing in the family. This ban created immense dissatisfaction within the family, especially with younger capos such as John Gotti
. However, Dellacroce refused to even consider a move against Castellano and the unhappy family members did not rebel. Gotti in particular, idolized Dellacroce.
as part of the Mafia Commission
investigation. On March 28, 1985, Dellacroce was indicted on federal racketeering charges regarding the activities of two crews in New York and Long Island over the previous 18 years. However, by this time Dellacroce was already very sick and would not live to attend either trial. On December 2, 1985, Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce died of lung cancer at age 71. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery
in the borough of Queens
in New York City
.
outside Sparks Steak House
in Manhattan. Gotti then took over as boss of the Gambino family.
In April 1988, Dellacroce's son, Armond died while hiding in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania
. He had been convicted of racketeering and had failed to appear for sentencing in March. The cause of death was listed as cirrhosis
and a cocaine
overdose.
Gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Some gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from mob and the suffix -ster....
and underboss of the Gambino crime family
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
. A capo of his own crew for many years he rose to the position of underboss when Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
moved Joseph Biondo
Joseph Biondo
Joseph Biondo , also known as "Joe Bandy", "Joe the Blonde", and "Little Rabbit", was a New York mobster with the Gambino crime family who was heavily involved in gambling activities. Biondo was also the family underboss for approximately eight years.-Career:Born in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto in...
aside.
Early life
Little is known of Dellacroce's early life. He was born to first generation immigrants from VenetoVeneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and grew up in Little Italy
Little Italy
Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...
. Dellacroce was a tall, broad-shouldered man who was usually chomping on a cigar. Dellacroce became a butcher's assistant, but work was scarce and he took to crime. As a youngster, Dellacroce was jailed once for petty theft. Dellacroce was a traditional Cosa Nostra mobster and believed in following the traditions and being loyal to the family and its boss.
He sometimes walked around Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
dressed as a priest and called himself "Father O'Neil" to confuse both the police and rival mobsters. Dellacroce allegedly committed a killing dressed as the priest. He also allegedly used a body double for some public events. Dellacroce preferred to keep a low profile and was said to have a menacing stare. NYPD detective Ralph Salerno said that the only mobsters whose eyes sent shivers down his spine were Dellacroce and Carmine Galante
Carmine Galante
Carmine Galante, also known as "Lilo" and "Cigar" was a mobster and acting boss of the Bonanno crime family...
. "You looked at Dellacroce's eyes and you could see how frightening they were. The frigid glare of a killer."
Dellacroce had a son Armond, a Gambino associate, a son Ronald and daughters Shannon Connelly and Sean Connelly. Dellacroce's sister Mary had three sons: John Ruggiero Sr., Angelo Ruggiero
Angelo Ruggiero
Angelo Salvatore Ruggiero Sr. pronounced was a caporegime of the Gambino crime family and close friend of John Gotti.-Mob family roots:...
and Salvatore Ruggiero
Salvatore Ruggiero
Salvatore Frank Ruggiero Sr. pronounced , also known as "Sal the Sphinx", "Sal Quack Quack" and "Sally", was a Gambino crime family mob associate and drug trafficker who was the older brother of Angelo Ruggiero and ringleader of "The Pleasant Avenue Connection" which was a precursor to the Pizza...
. Dellacroce was the great uncle of John Ruggiero Jr., Angelo Ruggiero Jr. and Salvatore Ruggiero Jr. Dellacroce was known as "Neil"; an Americanization
Americanization
Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907. Inside the U.S...
of his Italian name. Some Gambino members nicknamed him "the Polack
Polack
The noun Polack , in the contemporary English language, is a derogatory reference to a person of Polish descent. It is an Anglicisation of the Polish language word Polak, which means a Polish male person...
", although this was never uttered in his presence.
Career
In the late 1930s, Dellacroce joined the Mangano crime family, forerunner of the Gambino family. He soon became a protege of underbossUnderboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
Albert Anastasia
Albert Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was boss of what is now called the Gambino crime family, one of New York City's Five Families, from 1951-1957. He also ran a gang of contract killers called Murder Inc. which enforced the decisions of the Commission, the ruling council of the American Mafia...
. After the disappearance and presumed murder of longtime boss Vincent Mangano
Vincent Mangano
Vincent Mangano , born Vincenzo Giovanni Mangano, also known as "The Executioner" as he was named in a Brooklyn newspaper, was the head of the Mangano crime family from 1931 to 1951. His brother Philip Mangano was his right hand man and de facto, or substituto, underboss of the crime family which...
, Anastasia became family boss and appointed Dellacroce as a caporegime
Caporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
with his own crew. Dellacroce bought the Ravenite Social Club
Ravenite Social Club
The Ravenite Social Club was a club in New York City that was frequented and at some point used as headquarters of the Gambino crime family. It was located at 247 Mulberry St. in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. It is now a shoe store. The Ravenite was frequented by John Gotti and the rest of...
in Little Italy, which soon became a popular Gambino social club and Dellacroce's headquarters. On October 25, 1957, gunmen murdered Anastasia in a Manhattan hotel barbershop and underboss Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino
"Don" Carlo Gambino, was a Sicilian mafioso who became Boss of the Gambino crime family, that still bears his name today. After the 1957 Apalachin Convention he unexpectedly seized control of the Commission of the American Mafia. Gambino was known for being low-key and secretive...
took over the family.
Gambino was suspected of plotting Anastasia's murder with Lucchese crime family boss Tommy Lucchese
Tommy Lucchese
Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese , also known as "Tom Brown" or "Three-Finger Brown", was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Lucchese crime family in New York City...
and Luciano crime family capo Vito Genovese
Vito Genovese
Vito "Don Vito" Genovese was an Italian mafioso who rose to power in America during the Castellammarese War to later become leader of the Genovese crime family. Genovese served as mentor to future mob boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante...
. Dellacroce was a strong Anastasia supporter, but he chose to pledge loyalty to Gambino. In 1965, Gambino moved the aging Joseph Biondo
Joseph Biondo
Joseph Biondo , also known as "Joe Bandy", "Joe the Blonde", and "Little Rabbit", was a New York mobster with the Gambino crime family who was heavily involved in gambling activities. Biondo was also the family underboss for approximately eight years.-Career:Born in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto in...
from underboss position and appointed Dellacroce to replace him. In March 1973, Dellacroce was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to five years in prison.
It was widely presumed that Dellacroce was Gambino's heir apparent. However, on his deathbed in 1976, Don Carlo announced to the family that his cousin and brother-in-law, Paul Castellano
Paul Castellano
Constantino Paul "Big Paul" Castellano , also known as "The Howard Hughes of the Mob" and "Big Paulie" , was an American Mafia boss in New York City. He succeeded Carlo Gambino as head of the Gambino crime family, at the time, the nation's largest Mafia family...
, would be the new family boss. Dellacroce and many of his supporters were angered with Gambino's choice. Although Castellano had been a major earner for the family for many years, Dellacroce and others saw him as a businessman rather than a gangster.
To appease Dellacroce, Gambino persuaded Castellano to agree to keep Dellacroce as underboss. In addition, Gambino gave Dellacroce control of the traditional criminal activities, such as robbery, hijacking and extortion, in Manhattan. In 1976, Gambino died and Castellano became boss. Always the loyal family man, Dellacroce pledged his loyalty to Castellano. Castellano soon banned drug dealing in the family. This ban created immense dissatisfaction within the family, especially with younger capos such as John Gotti
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
. However, Dellacroce refused to even consider a move against Castellano and the unhappy family members did not rebel. Gotti in particular, idolized Dellacroce.
Death
In early 1985, Dellacroce was indicted along with the leaders of the other New York Cosa Nostra familiesFive Families
The Five Families are the five original Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated organized crime in America since 1931. The Five Families in New York remain as the powerhouse of the Italian Mafia in the United States.-History:...
as part of the Mafia Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
investigation. On March 28, 1985, Dellacroce was indicted on federal racketeering charges regarding the activities of two crews in New York and Long Island over the previous 18 years. However, by this time Dellacroce was already very sick and would not live to attend either trial. On December 2, 1985, Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce died of lung cancer at age 71. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery
Saint John's Cemetery, Queens
St. John Cemetery is an official Roman Catholic burial ground located in Middle Village in Queens a borough of New York City. It is one of nine official Roman Catholic burial grounds to service the New York Metropolitan Area. St. John along with St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in Farmingdale,...
in the borough of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Aftermath
After Dellacroce's death, Gotti and his supporters no longer felt constrained against attacking Castellano. In addition, Castellano's refusal to visit Dellacroce when he was dying, or attend his funeral, reportedly enraged Gotti. On December 16, 1985, just two weeks after Dellacroce's death, gunmen assassinated Castellano and his new underboss Thomas BilottiThomas Bilotti
Thomas Bilotti was a New York mobster and then Underboss for the reputed Boss of the Gambino crime family, Paul Castellano.-Early years:...
outside Sparks Steak House
Sparks Steak House
The Sparks Steak House is a restaurant located at 210 East 46th Street between Second & Third Avenues in Midtown Manhattan.-History:The restaurant was founded by brothers Pat and Mike Cetta in 1966...
in Manhattan. Gotti then took over as boss of the Gambino family.
In April 1988, Dellacroce's son, Armond died while hiding in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He had been convicted of racketeering and had failed to appear for sentencing in March. The cause of death was listed as cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
and a cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
overdose.
Popular culture
- Dellacroce's death is referenced in the 2007 film, Brooklyn RulesBrooklyn RulesBrooklyn Rules is a 2007 film starring Alec Baldwin, Scott Caan, Freddie Prinze Jr., Jerry Ferrara, and Mena Suvari. The film was directed by Michael Corrente and written by Terence Winter.-Plot:...
. - In the 1997 TV movie Gotti, Dellacroce was portrayed by Anthony QuinnAnthony QuinnAntonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
. - In the 2001 TV movie Boss of BossesBoss of BossesBoss of Bosses is a 2001 made for TV movie about the life of former Gambino Family boss Paul Castellano. It stars Chazz Palminteri as Paul Castellano, Patricia Mauceri as his wife Nina, Mark Margolis as Joseph Armone, and Angela Alvarado as his mistress Gloria Olarte.This film focuses on Paul...
, he was portrayed by Dayton CallieDayton CallieDayton Callie is a Scottish-born American actor, best known for playing Charlie Utter on HBO's Deadwood and Ernie Dell on CSI. He now portrays Police Chief Wayne Unser on Sons of Anarchy. He has also voiced Whitaker in Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, appeared in Halloween 2, & had small roles in episodes...
. - Al PacinoAl PacinoAlfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
will play Dellecroce in the upcoming John GottiJohn GottiJohn Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
biopic Gotti: In The Shadow of My Father. It will be directed by Barry LevinsonBarry LevinsonBarry Levinson is an American screenwriter, film director, actor, and producer of film and television. His films include Good Morning, Vietnam, Sleepers and Rain Man.-Early life:...
and star John TravoltaJohn TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
as Gotti and Joe PesciJoe PesciJoseph Frank "Joe" Pesci is an American actor, comedian, and musician.He is known for playing a variety of different roles, from violent mobsters to comedic leads to quirky sidekicks...
as Angelo RuggieroAngelo RuggieroAngelo Salvatore Ruggiero Sr. pronounced was a caporegime of the Gambino crime family and close friend of John Gotti.-Mob family roots:...
.
Further reading
- Capeci, Jerry. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia. Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2002. ISBN 0-02-864225-2
- Jacobs, James B., Christopher Panarella and Jay Worthington. Busting the Mob: The United States Vs. Cosa Nostra. New York: NYU Press, 1994. ISBN 0-8147-4230-0
- Maas, Peter. Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0-06-093096-9
- Raab, Selwyn. Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires. New York: St. Martin Press, 2005. ISBN 0-312-30094-8
- United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Organized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi: Hearings Before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs. 1988. http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC19099088&id=DQeMhDjHx58C&q=Aniello+Dellacroce&dq=Aniello+Dellacroce&pgis=1
External links
- http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/FamilyDeniesGottiLink.asp
- http://www.thechicagosyndicate.com/2006/03/real-dons-steal-sopranos-limelight.html
- http://www.thechicagosyndicate.com/2006/02/gottis-girl.html