John Vitale (mobster)

John Joseph Vitale (May 17, 1909 – June 5, 1982) was a Sicilian-American boss and under-boss[1] of the St. Louis crime family. During his lifetime, Vitale allegedly was the boss of the St. Louis crime family on two occasions.[2]

John Joseph Vitale
Born(1909-05-17)May 17, 1909
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedJune 5, 1982(1982-06-05) (aged 73)
St. Louis, Missouri
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
NationalityAmerican
OccupationOrganized crime
Spouse(s)Fara Marie Sharamitaro, Mildred Joyce Vitale (NEE: Allen)
ChildrenJoseph John Vitale
Mary Ann Vitale
John L. Vitale
Rosetta Vitale
Michelle Vitale
grandchildren: Morgan Vitale
Parent(s)Joseph Vitale, Sr.
Mary Theresa Bovacanti

Early life

John J. Vitale was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1909,[3] the eldest of eight children of Joseph Vitale, Sr. and Mary Theresa Bovacanti.[4] Both of Vitale's parents were born in Sicily; his father in Trapani[4] and his mother in Termini Imerese.[5] They immigrated to the United States a few years before John was born.[6]

During the Great Depression he worked as an usher at the Ambassador Theater where he met movie actress Ginger Rogers; the two became lifelong friends.[3]

On September 8, 1929, he married Fara Marie Sharamitaro,[7] the daughter of Giuseppe Sharamitaro (also spelled Ciaramitaro) and Rosaria Bommarito.[8][9][10][11] Together, they had four children.[12]

After Fara died in July 1973 John married Mildred Joyce Allen on August 4th 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They moved back to Saint Louis, Missouri to start their family together, Including Mary Michelle Vitale, who was age 13 at the time.

Vitale's arrest record began circa 1920, though he was rarely convicted.[2] For example, in 1934, he was a suspect in the death of Mike Palazzolo.[13] According to St. Louis investigative reporter John Auble, Palazzolo allegedly had an ongoing quarrel with a man named Walter Mushenick. In May 1934, Mushenick assaulted Palazzolo's girlfriend Delphine, slapping her in the face. After Delphine informed Palazzolo of the assault, Palazzolo stated that, "he was going to get even with Mushenick..."[14] Witnesses stated that when Palazzolo left his parents' house to visit a friend, Vitale arrived and waited for him to return. After returning home, Palazzolo left with Vitale in Vitale's car. That was the last time Palazzolo was seen alive. The coroner determined that Palozzolo was shot twice with a .38 caliber, a single shot through the head and neck, and another in the chest.[13] Though a warrant was issued for his arrest, Vitale was exonerated of the murder.[15]

St. Louis crime family

Little is known of Vitale's early years in the syndicate, as he was known for keeping a low profile. His last run in with the law was in 1980 when he was arrested for having US$30,000 in his pocket.[16][17]

Sonny Liston affair

The St. Louis crime family held financial interests in the career of Sonny Liston, a professional boxer. According to both FBI and newspaper reports, Vitale, in addition to other underworld crime figures, "reportedly controlled Liston's contract,"[18] by owning approximately twelve percent of the boxer's contract.[19] However, when a congressional committee inquired into the matter, he refused to answer any questions.[20]

Other activities

Vitale was sent to federal prison once on a narcotics charge during the 1950s.[2] In 1958, he was charged with the federal crime of transporting firearms across state lines, which he appealed.[21] In February 1959, he was called to testify regarding mafia-controlled coin machine rackets, but invoked the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution against self-incrimination.[22] In 1977, he was charged with assault and sentenced to the St. Louis City workhouse.[2]

Final days

Two sources claim that Vitale later became an FBI informant following the death of boss Anthony "Tony G." Giordano.[23][24] However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim. Further, Vitale remained the boss after Giordano's death, dying of natural causes in St. Louis as an elderly man. He died on June 5, 1982[24] and was buried on June 9, 1982 in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.[25] He was preceded in death by his wife Fara, who was buried on July 20, 1973 in Calvary Cemetery.[26]


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References
  1. Walsh, Denny (May 29, 1970). "Investigative Report: A Two-Faced Crime Fight in St. Louis". Life Magazine Pp. 30.
  2. Associated Press. "John Vitale, Organized Crime Leader in St. Louis, Dies at 73." Chicago Tribune, June 7, 1982, pp. D13
  3. Auble, John (2002). A History of St. Louis Gangsters. St. Louis, Missouri: The National Criminal Research Society. Pp. 26.
  4. Randazzo, Andy T. "Joseph Vitale Genealogy". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  5. Randazzo, Andy T."Maria Theresa Bovacanti Genealogy". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  6. John Vitale household, 1910 U.S. Census, St. Louis City, Mo., pop sch, Ward 4, ED 68, SD 68, sh. 6B, dw. 111, fl. 117; NA microfilm T624, roll 813.
  7. Randazzo, Andy T."Fara Marie Sharamitaro Genealogy". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  8. Giuseppe Ciramitaro, death certificate no. 24411 (1951). Missouri Department of Health, Jefferson City, Missouri.
  9. Rosaria Ciaramitaro, death certificate no. 14556 (1957). Missouri Department of Health, Jefferson City, Missouri
  10. Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis "Giuseppe and Rosaria Ciaramitaro Burial Records". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  11. Find A Grave "Baptism and Marriage Record of Fara Sharamitaro". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  12. St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Joseph John Vitale Obituary". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  13. Mike Palozzolo, death certificate no. 17922 (1934). Missouri Department of Health, Jefferson City, Missouri.
  14. Auble, John (2002). A History of St. Louis Gangsters. St. Louis, Missouri: The National Criminal Research Society. Pp. 29.
  15. Auble, John (2002). A History of St. Louis Gangsters. St. Louis, Missouri: The National Criminal Research Society. Pp. 30.
  16. Auble, John (2002). A History of St. Louis Gangsters. St. Louis, Missouri: The National Criminal Research Society. Pp. 27.
  17. "Vitale Wants Hearing on Cash Seized by FBI", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 13, 1980, pg. 7A
  18. Associated Press. "Probers Search for Underworld Ties with Boxers, undated newspaper clipping. FBI file" Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  19. Picou, Tommy. "The Sonny Liston Story: He Always Had Cop Trouble." Chicago Daily Defender, September 11, 1962, pp. 22
  20. Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Charles "Sonny" Liston Memorandum, May 1, 1962.". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  21. Editorial. "Names 4 in Ransom Theft." Chicago Daily Tribune, August 20, 1958, pp. 1; 9.
  22. Moore, William. "Quiz Juke Box Figure about Mafia Links: Illinois Rackets Boss Invokes 5th." Chicago Daily Tribune, February 12, 1959, pp. A4.
  23. Stelzer, C.D. (2009). "The Death of Jesse Stoneking" Survive the Jive blog.
  24. Machi, Mario, Allan May, and Charlie Molino. (1999)."St. Louis Family". AmericanMafia.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  25. Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis "John J. Vitale Burial Record". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  26. Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis "Fara Marie Vitale Burial Record". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
Business positions
Preceded by
Unknown		 St. Louis crime family
Underboss
unknown–1980		 Succeeded by
Joseph Cammarata
Preceded by
Anthony "Tony G." Giordano
as boss		 St. Louis crime family
Acting boss
1980-1982		 Succeeded by
Matthew M. "Mike" Trupiano, Jr.
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