Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci: Harlem Powerhouse

An iconic name in mob lore, Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci was notorious by the mid-1930s era. He was known as a gunman and Harlem power in league with the equally notorious Tough Joey Rao and Trigger Mike Coppola. And despite his official rank in the Genovese Family, Joe Stretch exhibited power and influence far beyond a mere soldier.

Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci - aka Straci, Joseph Stracci, Joseph A. Strasse, Joseph Strecchi, Joseph Russo, and Joseph Anthony Stracci (TN) - was born on January 1, 1906, in San Fratello, Messina, Sicily. After emigrating in 1907, the Straci family settled at 313 E. 107th Street, 204 E. 112th Street, 204 E. 112th Street, and 2276 2nd Avenue in East Harlem, and later at 335 E. 116th Street.

By 1952, as he grew in stature and success, Stracci would later relocate to 80 South Woodland Road in Englewood, NJ. He purchased the house for $36,000 ( a tidy sum for that era.)

Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci

He liked to play a round of golf at the Englewood Golf Club and was a“snowbird”, preferring to spend winters in Miami, Florida.

He married Vince and Joey Rao’s sister, Cecile. His son, Ron Straci, would become a labor lawyer. Another son, Joseph Thomas Stracci, who was estranged from him and born through wedlock, was jailed in 1958 for 10 to 20 years in Sing Sing on a robbery conviction.

Stracci also had a brother, Salvatore (Sally Stretch), who was also an associate of this Family and was active in the policy rackets under the auspices of his brother Joe.

Joe Stretch stood 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He had a slightly heavy build and a bit of a prominent beak. He was a well-liked, well-rounded hood, who kept his hand in many activities.

FBI # 72208, NYCPD # B-64304

Since 1926, his criminal record reflects six arrests and one jail term for:

1926 - attempted grand larceny (15 to 30 months in Sing Sing)

1928 - violating Harrison Act (drugs)

1929 - robbery

1939 - vagrancy

1945 - suspicious person (Providence, RI)

An iconic name in mob lore, Stracci was notorious by the mid-1930s era. He was known as a gunman and Harlem power in league with the equally notorious Tough Joey Rao and Trigger Mike Coppola.

Although never elevated above the technical rank of a “soldier,” similar to Johnny Dio, Joe Stretch was one of those rare mafiosi, who despite their official rank, exhibited power and influence far beyond a mere soldier.

He was identified by just about every single law enforcement source and government chart over the last 70 years as a documented member of the Luciano/Genovese Family of LCN.

Joe Stretch was known as a low-key guy not prone to nightclubbing or bouncing around town with other hoodlums.

He was very active in the rackets, especially the garment district, but would take care of his affairs and then retire home, typically spending evenings with his wife and children - in stark contrast to his earlier profile and reputation as a gunman and enforcer during the 1930s and 1940s Harlem!

His known hangouts included Dunhall’s Restaurant at 1440 Broadway in midtown Manhattan in NYC which he frequently used as a meeting place. He also frequented Duke’s Tavern, the de facto NJ base of operations for the Genovese mob during the 1940s and 50s.

His criminal activities included garment racketeering (he was influential in the Local #2 -ILGWU and various apparel trade associations), labor union racketeering (he was influential with Local #222 International Jewelry Workers Union and five related sister locals that handled“catch-all” industries), extortion and strong-arm tactics, policy, and shylocking.

He was listed as a registered partner in several garment-related firms including:

D. Zimet, Inc., at 500 Seventh Ave., 12th floor, NYC (a maker of women’s coats and suits). Joe was the general manager of this firm for many years and actually worked an average of 8 to 9 hrs per day. His partner was David Zimet.

Zimray, Inc., at 512 Seventh Ave., NYC

Stuart Fashions, Inc., at 509 Seventh Ave., NYC

Jovon Fashions, Inc., at 225 W. 37th Street, NYC

Additionally, he was alleged to have influence or held hidden interests in Joe Miller Fashions, Art-Ed Carriers Inc., and Ann Ames, Inc

“Joe Stretch” was also a principal in several large apparel-trucking firms, such as Metro-Urban Trucking Co., at 205 W. 57th Street in NYC that was among the carriers who dominated that industry. Law enforcement said that he and Natale Evola shared the division of power with several major trucking accounts.

Stracci also had a stock investment portfolio over the years.

His close criminal and business associates included:

Michael (Trigger Mike) Coppola - close boyhood friend and his possible “capo.”

Vincent (Vincey) Rao - related through marriage. Lucchese consigliere.

Joseph (Tough Joey) Rao - Genovese power. Although technically only a “soldier”, Rao wielded tremendous power.

Frank (Cheech) Livorsi - boyhood running partner and Genovese power.

Joseph (Joe Stutz) Tortorici - an influential soldier from Harlem.

Salvatore (Sally Stretch) Stracci - his kid brother who ran policy banks as a “controller.” He was arrested with 13 others in 1958 after a vice raid on three numbers banks on E. 115th Street. He later pled guilty to “contriving a lottery” and received a six-month suspended sentence. He was an “associate” and possible member of this Family and was listed as a production manager at Jovon Fashions Inc.

Robert (Bobby) Rao - a nephew and son of Joey, Local # 222 official and top pension fund administrator.

His garment district racket associates included Herman (Benny) Levine (a top garment power and close personal friend of the Straccis), Levine's aide Benjamin Kutlow, and Vincenzo (Jimmy Doyle) Plumeri (another top garment racketeer).

By the early 1970s, well past his prime, Stracci had faded from view. He may have even been retired by the late 1960s because no more was heard from him.

Joe Stretch died quietly on May 30, 1984, at the age of 78!

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci: Harlem Powerhouse

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You May Also Enjoy

Genovese Soldier & Waterfront Rackets Boss: Philip “Philly Katz” Albanese

Genovese Capo Frank Iaconi and His Worcester, Massachusetts Regime

Frank (Farby) Serpico

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