John DiGilio

John Joseph DiGilio Sr. also known as "Johnny Dee", (December 5, 1932 Bayonne, New Jersey– May 27, 1988 Carlstadt, New Jersey), was a New Jersey mobster with the Genovese crime family who became a powerful organized crime leader in the New Jersey faction.

A former professional boxer and boatman on a tug boat, DiGilio had an athletic build with muscular shoulders. He was described as possessing an aura of self-confidence.

John DiGilio was born to first generation Italian-American immigrants and was the oldest of eight siblings; Theresa, Joseph, Judith, Frances, Anthony, Antionette and Frank DiGilio. He married Ellen Morelli and they had one child EllenChris.

To avoid confusion regarding Leonard (Lenny) Digilio, public records show Leonard was never adopted by John Digilio. Leonard changed his name from Leonard Brugnola to Leonard DiGilio when he was 25 years old. John Digilio NEVER adopted Leonard and NY records verify Lenard only changed his name. There was NO Adoption.

In 1950, DiGilio won the New York Daily News Golden Gloves 126 lb (57 kilos) Sub-Novice Championships by defeating Manuel Vinho of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. While a welterweight boxer, DiGilio trained at the Bayonne Police Department Police Athletic League in New Jersey. On October 16, 1950, DiGilio won his first professional boxing match against Tony Loti in Providence, Rhode Island. On April 8, 1954 in Newark, New Jersey, DiGilio defeated Felix Redondo for the New Jersey State Lightweight Title. On June 28, 1954 Cisco Andrade beat DiGilio by knockout at St. Nicholas Arena in New York City, New York in 2 minutes and 8 seconds. On November 18, 1955, while fighting Tommy Barto at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, the referee stopped the fight and declared DiGilio the winner. On June 15, 1956, again at Madison Square Garden, DiGilio knocked down Johnny Busso in 1:39 minutes during the 4th round. However, the referee later stopped the fight due to cuts over DiGilio's eyes and gave the victory to Busso. On February 11, 1958 in Miami Beach, Florida, DiGilio lost, being knocked down in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds. On March 29, 1958, DiGilio lost to Stefan Redl in Paterson, New Jersey for the New Jersey State Welterweight Championship.

...
Wikipedia