Peter Magaddino
Encyclopedia
Peter Magaddino was a mobster in the Magaddino crime family
of Buffalo, New York
. The son of crime boss Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino
, Magaddino was a caporegime
in the family and possibly an underboss
.
, Sicily
and settled in New York City. Peter was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1921, the family suddenly moved to Niagara Falls, New York
. Due to some mob shootings in Brooklyn, Stefano had to leave New York City for his own safety. He decided to relocate to Niagara Falls because a large number of Castellammarese immigrants lived there and it was more peaceful than New York. Early in his criminal career, Peter married the niece of prominent Western New York
businessman and Buffalo crime family
consigliere
John C. Montana
.
In 1940 he opened a funeral home with Paul Palmeri. When Palmeri left Niagara Falls in 1942. Peter took over operation. He already had one college degree and now went to mortuary school and became a licensed funeral director
. He ran the Magaddino Memorial Chapel, a funeral home
in Niagara Falls, New York
.
, former head of the Bonanno crime family
and cousin to Peter's father, Stefano. On October 21, 1964, Bonanno was walking down Park Avenue
in Manhattan, New York with his lawyer William P. Maloney. When they stopped in front of an apartment building on 36th Street, Bonanno was kidnapped, allegedly by Peter and his uncle, Antonio "Nino" Magaddino among others. http://www.americanmafia.com/Cities/Buffalo.html According to Bonanno, he was held captive in Upstate New York
by Stefano. Magaddino claimed to represent the Mafia Commission
when he told Bonanno that he "took up too much space in the air", a Sicilian metaphor for being arrogant. After some more conversations, Bonanno allegedly convinced the Magaddinos that he would retire and Stefano released him.
(FBI) agent Joe Griffin, author of the book Mob Nemesis, Peter was appointed by his father to fill the gap and run the day-to-day activities. However, many believe that capo and future acting boss, Joseph Fino, was named underboss in 1968. It is possible that Peter was named acting underboss until Fino got the permanent job later. In either case, many top family members believed that Peter didn't deserve the job.
By the 1960s, many Buffalo family members viewed Stefano as a paranoid
and greedy leader who could no longer be trusted to lead the family. In late 1968, the situation worsened when Stefano told his capos Salvatore "Samuel Johns" Pieri, Fino, and Daniel "Boots" Sansanese that he was cutting their percentage of the family profits and, worse yet, eliminating their Christmas
bonuses! Stefano claimed that money was tight; however, that argument wasn't too convincing as Stefano was grossing between $20,000 to $30,000 weekly on his personal sports book.
Before the year was done, the Buffalo family had split into several dissident factions and the Magaddinos were effectively deposed. However, the Mafia Commission continued to recognize Stefano as family boss until his death. The dissident factions were led by a succession of defacto bosses, including capos Sam Pieri, Joseph Fino, and Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore.
Peter Magaddino remained a loyal member of his father's faction until Stefano died on July 19, 1974. Peter then quietly removed himself from the family's criminal activities. He died August 16, 1976.
Buffalo crime family
The Buffalo crime family, also known as the Magaddino crime family and The Arm, is an Italian American criminal organization based in Buffalo, United States. As part of the American Mafia the family operates throughout Western New York and Canada.The Buffalo crime family, gained power during the...
of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. The son of crime boss Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino
Stefano Magaddino
Stefano Magaddino was an Sicilian mafioso who became the boss of the Buffalo crime family in western New York. His underworld influence stretched from Ohio and Southern Ontario as far north as Montreal, Quebec...
, Magaddino was 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...
in the family and possibly an underboss
Underboss
Underboss is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The underboss is second in command to the boss...
.
Early years
The Magaddino family immigrated to the U.S. from Castellammare del GolfoCastellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo is a town and comune in the Trapani Province of Sicily. The name is roughly translated "Sea- Fortress of the Gulf", deriving from the medieval fortress in the harbor...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and settled in New York City. Peter was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1921, the family suddenly moved to Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
. Due to some mob shootings in Brooklyn, Stefano had to leave New York City for his own safety. He decided to relocate to Niagara Falls because a large number of Castellammarese immigrants lived there and it was more peaceful than New York. Early in his criminal career, Peter married the niece of prominent Western New York
Western New York
Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
businessman and Buffalo crime family
Buffalo crime family
The Buffalo crime family, also known as the Magaddino crime family and The Arm, is an Italian American criminal organization based in Buffalo, United States. As part of the American Mafia the family operates throughout Western New York and Canada.The Buffalo crime family, gained power during the...
consigliere
Consigliere
Consigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
John C. Montana
John C. Montana
John C. Montana was a Buffalo, New York labor racketeer, political fixer, and elected politician who eventually became the underboss and/or consiglieri of the Buffalo crime family....
.
In 1940 he opened a funeral home with Paul Palmeri. When Palmeri left Niagara Falls in 1942. Peter took over operation. He already had one college degree and now went to mortuary school and became a licensed funeral director
Funeral director
A funeral director , also known as a mortician or undertaker, is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony...
. He ran the Magaddino Memorial Chapel, a funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
in Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
.
Bananas War
In the mid 1960's, Magaddino became involved in the New York gang war known as the "Bananas War". The conflict got its name from Joseph "Joe Bananas" BonannoJoseph Bonanno
Joseph Charles Bonanno, Sr. was a Sicilian-born American mafioso who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family. He was nicknamed "Joe Bananas," a name he despised.-Early life:...
, former head of the Bonanno crime family
Bonanno crime family
The Bonanno 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 ....
and cousin to Peter's father, Stefano. On October 21, 1964, Bonanno was walking down Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
in Manhattan, New York with his lawyer William P. Maloney. When they stopped in front of an apartment building on 36th Street, Bonanno was kidnapped, allegedly by Peter and his uncle, Antonio "Nino" Magaddino among others. http://www.americanmafia.com/Cities/Buffalo.html According to Bonanno, he was held captive in Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
by Stefano. Magaddino claimed to represent 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...
when he told Bonanno that he "took up too much space in the air", a Sicilian metaphor for being arrogant. After some more conversations, Bonanno allegedly convinced the Magaddinos that he would retire and Stefano released him.
Family conflict
In 1967, Buffalo underboss Frederico "Freddie the Wolf" Randaccio was arrested and sent to prison. According to former Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI) agent Joe Griffin, author of the book Mob Nemesis, Peter was appointed by his father to fill the gap and run the day-to-day activities. However, many believe that capo and future acting boss, Joseph Fino, was named underboss in 1968. It is possible that Peter was named acting underboss until Fino got the permanent job later. In either case, many top family members believed that Peter didn't deserve the job.
By the 1960s, many Buffalo family members viewed Stefano as a paranoid
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
and greedy leader who could no longer be trusted to lead the family. In late 1968, the situation worsened when Stefano told his capos Salvatore "Samuel Johns" Pieri, Fino, and Daniel "Boots" Sansanese that he was cutting their percentage of the family profits and, worse yet, eliminating their Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
bonuses! Stefano claimed that money was tight; however, that argument wasn't too convincing as Stefano was grossing between $20,000 to $30,000 weekly on his personal sports book.
Breakup
Due to unexpected intervention by the FBI, resentment over Stefano and Peter Magaddino within the family came to a head. In November 1968, Peter and Stefano were arrested and charged with interstate bookmaking. While searching Peter's home in Niagara Falls, the FBI uncovered nearly $500,000 in cash inside a bedroom wall. When the rest of the Buffalo crime family learned about the hidden money, it provoked an internal rebellion.Before the year was done, the Buffalo family had split into several dissident factions and the Magaddinos were effectively deposed. However, the Mafia Commission continued to recognize Stefano as family boss until his death. The dissident factions were led by a succession of defacto bosses, including capos Sam Pieri, Joseph Fino, and Samuel "Sam the Farmer" Frangiamore.
Peter Magaddino remained a loyal member of his father's faction until Stefano died on July 19, 1974. Peter then quietly removed himself from the family's criminal activities. He died August 16, 1976.
Further reading
- Bonanno, Bill. Bound by Honor: A Mafioso's Story. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. ISBN 0-312-97147-8
- Bonanno, Joseph. A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2003. ISBN 0-312-97923-1
- United States. Congress. House. Select Committee on Assassinations. Investigation of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: hearings before the Select Committee on Assassinations. 1979. http://books.google.com/books?vid=OCLC05073842&id=2lXiaWgKZ5wC&q=%22Peter+Magaddino%22&dq=%22Peter+Magaddino%22&pgis=1
External links
- AmericanMafia.com: Buffalo, NY by Mario Machi, Allan May, and Charlie Molino