Joseph Profaci
| Joe Profaci | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Giuseppe Profaci October 2, 1897 Villabate, Sicily, Italy |
| Died | June 6, 1962 (aged 64) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Liver cancer |
| Resting place | St. John's Cemetery, Queens |
| Nationality | Italian, Sicilian, American |
| Other names | "Olive Oil King" "Don Peppino" |
| Citizenship | Italian, American |
| Occupation | Businessman, Crime boss, , Mobster, Racketeer |
| Known for | Founder and first Boss of the Profaci crime family |
| Spouse(s) | Ninfa Magliocco (1928-1962, his death) |
| Children | 6 |
Giuseppe "Joe" Profaci (October 2, 1897 – June 6, 1962) was a New York City La Cosa Nostra boss who was the founder of what is today known as the Colombo crime family. Established in 1928, this was the last of the Five Families to be organized. He was the family's boss for over three decades.
Giuseppe Profaci was born in Villabate, in the Province of Palermo, Sicily, on October 2, 1897. In 1920, Profaci spent one year in prison in Palermo on theft charges.
Profaci's sons were Frank Profaci and John Profaci Sr. Frank eventually joined the Profaci crime family while John Sr. followed legitimate pursuits. Two of Profaci's daughters married the sons of Detroit Partnership mobsters and Joseph Zerilli.
Profaci's brother was Salvatore Profaci, who served as his consigliere for years, and is known to have been heavily into dealing of pornographic materials. One of Profaci's brothers-in-law was Joseph Magliocco, who would eventually become Profaci's underboss. Profaci's niece Rosalie Profaci was married to Salvatore Bonanno, the son of Bonanno crime family boss Joseph Bonanno. Profaci was the uncle of Salvatore Profaci Jr., also a member of the Profaci crime family.
Rosalie Profaci offered the following description of her uncle:
"He was a flamboyant man who smoked big cigars, drove big black Cadillacs, and did things like buy tickets to a Broadway play for us cousins. But he didn't buy two or three or even four seats, he bought a whole row."
Released from prison in 1921, Profaci emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City on September 4. Profaci settled in Chicago, where he opened a grocery store and bakery. However, the business was unsuccessful and in 1925 Profaci relocated to New York, where he entered the olive oil import business. On September 27, 1927, Profaci became a United States citizen. At some point after his move to Brooklyn, Profaci became involved with the Sicilian gangs there.
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Wikipedia