Joseph Aiuppa

Joseph Aiuppa
Joey "Doves" Aiuppa, Most commonly referred to as "O'Brien"until the 1960's
Born	(1907-12-01)December 1, 1907 Melrose Park, Illinois
Died	February 22, 1997(1997-02-22) (aged 89) Elmhurst, Illinois
Cause of death	Unknown natural causes
Other names	O'Brien ,Joey Aiuppa, Joey "Doves", Joey O
Occupation	Gangster
Criminal charge	Skimming Las Vegas casinos
Criminal penalty	28 years and 6 months imprisonment, fined $143,000
Criminal status	Deceased
Spouse(s)	Angeline Zito
Parent(s)	Sam Aiuppa, Rose Greco
Conviction(s)	Mar 27, 1986

Joseph John Aiuppa (pronounced, "I-U-PA") (December 1, 1907 – February 22, 1997), also known as "Doves," "Mourning Doves," "O'Brien," or "Joey Doves," was a Chicago mobster who became a leader of the Chicago Outfit from 1971 until his Federal conviction in 1986.

Joseph Aiuppa was born in Melrose Park, Illinois, the eldest son of Simone Aiuppa (1883-1934) and Rosalia (1886-1968), Sicilian immigrants from Lascari, Province of Palermo, Sicily.

During the 1920s, former boxer Aiuppa rose through the ranks of the Outfit, beginning as a driver for higher ranking Outfit leaders such as Tony Accardo before graduating to operating several gambling establishments in Cicero, Illinois. These clubs included bookmaking establishments and underground casinos with secret entrances. In the early 1930s, Aiuppa managed Taylor & Company, ostensibly a furniture manufacturer though in actuality a front for the manufacture of illegal slot machines. Beginning in the late 40's and well into 50's and 60's Aiuppa was in charge of the Cicero district of the Outfit. The Cicero district was the highest earning neighborhood for decades going back to Al Capone who headquartered out of this area while he was in command. Aiuppa eventually owned and/or operated several establishments in Cicero called the strip. This is and was the original " strip " before Vegas. The various clubs located on Cicero Avenue were The Frolics, the Towne Hotel, and the 411 Club along with 2-3 others. Prostitution, slot machines, and various gaming activities took place inside these night clubs. Some of these gaming chips from these establishments still survive today. Aiuppa also owned for many years and then eventually sold the Navajo Hills golf course located outside suburban Chicago. This was one of his many real estate dealings that he made money on with his personal take and share of running the most powerful and successful Outfit neighborhood for decades. Aiuppa operated his real estate holdings under the name of Rosemar Reality. Named after his mother Rose Marie who also from time to time had cars or small real estate in her name as Aiuppa would almost never keep any assets in his own name except for his home that he resided in. He used various relatives such as brothers and later nephews along with his mother in holding title to his many constantly changing real estate assets in and around the Chicago area. He owned several acres of prime real estate around his Oak Brook estate home that was later sold and developed into a small neighborhood after his passing by one of his nephews.