Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato

Al Ross Rosato made a name for himself as one of the wealthiest and most feared and wealthiest loansharks in East Harlem.

Known for his brutal collection tactics, he ran his operations out of a Second Avenue barbershop, lending at steep weekly rates.

Between his business trips to Miami and his violent reputation, Rosato was both respected and notorious in New York’s underworld, where even a minor slight could prove fatal.

Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato -- aka Alex Rosato and Alexander Charles Rosso (TN) -- was born on July 8, 1914, in East Harlem, New York, to Carmine and Olivia (nee Patriarca) Rosato. He was raised in East Harlem.

By the mid-1950s, Rosato had bought a beautiful home in the newly built upscale community in the Malba/Whitestone section of Queens.

Alexander Rosato

He lived at 141-60 11th Avenue, a neighborhood rife with hoodlums and mafiosi originating from East Harlem. Lucchese and Genovese members were the main residents of the area. It became mob-town central.

By the late 1950s, Rosato was a regular, near-monthly visitor to Miami Beach. While there, he typically stayed at the Deauville Motel, a popular spot with mafiosi visiting the Sunshine State.

Al liked Florida so much that he later purchased a home at 1311 N.E. 105th Street in Miami Shores.

FBI # 669623, NYCPD # B-114210

Al Ross, as he was widely known, had the reputation as that of a major shylock in East Harlem. He operated for years out of a barbershop off Second Avenue, which served as his headquarters of sorts. From this location, he gave out loans at rates of from 2% to 3% interest weekly.

He also frequented a private mob social club, where he ran down the block at 2294 Second Avenue, which he also operated out of.

Rosato had a reputation as one of the wealthiest loansharks around. He also had the reputation, even among fellow mob guys, of being nasty, vicious, and exacting as a loanshark; one who was merciless in his collection methods. No breaks for anyone, and if a loan customer didn’t show up precisely on time, on his day of the week, with his payment in full, Al Ross might just throw the guy a vicious beating, or worse!

Rosato was suspected of having “clipped” more than one recalcitrant borrower who fell behind on his “vig,” or maybe not. But maybe insulted or slighted Rosato in some small perceived way. That’s all it would take for him to go off the deep end and maybe do something drastic.

It was reported that in the 1950s, a Black guy who knew Rosato and had borrowed some money from him arrived late one afternoon at Rosato’s social club to make his weekly loan payment. When Rosato got him on the telephone and started yelling at him, the black guy got a bit nasty with Rosato and cursed him back.

Rosato quickly calmed the heated situation down, telling the guy to come by for coffee, and they’d talk about their little misunderstanding. After all, they were friends, and there was no reason to be unreasonable. Upon arriving at the club, Al walked the black guy into the hallway outside the club so they could talk privately. There, Rosato pulled a revolver and proceeded to shoot his victim in the head several times.

It just so happened that a young mob associate by the name of Louis Pacella, better known as “Louis Dome,” was present at the club when Rosato committed this murder. It was Louie’s lucky day. Rosato asked for Pacella’s help in wrapping up the body in a tarpaulin and helping Al dispose of it properly so it wouldn’t come back to haunt him.

For his help, Pacella was quickly formally inducted into the Family and became a “made” soldier in the Genovese mob. From that moment forward, Louie Dome was a recognized and respected member of the mafia fraternity.

Rosato’s police file started in 1933 and included arrests for:

1933 - armed robbery by gun (10 years in Elmira Reformatory, released 1937)

1937 - vagrancy

1938 - parole violation

1942 - parole violation

1945 - assault and robbery

Al Ross was known to generally live a quiet lifestyle and kept a low-key profile in the underworld. He was a very respected mafioso.

In 1961, informants reported that Rosato frequently traveled from New York City to Miami to deliver large amounts of money from various NYC rackets. He was named the overseer of the Harlem policy racket on behalf of Coppola and Anthony Salerno.

His associates included Michael (Trigger Mike) Coppola, Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno, Joseph (Joe Stretch) Stracci, Pasquale (Little Patsy) Erra, Michael Erra, Alfred (Freddy Red Shirt) Felice, Norman Rothman, Alfred (Sharkey) Cupola, Joseph (Joe Stutz) Tortorici , Louis (Louie Dome) Pacella, and Frank (Farby) Serpico . Most of these hoodlums originate from the Harlem area.

When visiting Florida, Rosato liked to frequent both Mama ViVi’s Italian Restaurant and the lounge at the Johnina Hotel along Miami Beach.

He also would hang out at various nightclubs that Patsy Erra operated, which were some of the most popular along Collins Avenue on the Miami strip, Dino’s Nightclub (owned in partnership with entertainer Dean Martin.) They also liked to frequent Raimondo’s, the Forge Restaurant, and the lounge at the Fontainebleau Hotel among them.

Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato died at the age of 72 years old on February 15, 1986.

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato

You May Also Enjoy

Genovese Capo Frank Iaconi and His Worcester, Massachusetts Regime

Frank (Farby) Serpico

“Spanish Raymond” Marquez: New York’s Puerto Rican “Godfather”

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Alexander (Al Ross) Rosato

Unlock The Door to the Underworld

Purchase Subscription

You May Also Enjoy

Genovese Capo Frank Iaconi and His Worcester, Massachusetts Regime

Frank (Farby) Serpico

“Spanish Raymond” Marquez: New York’s Puerto Rican “Godfather”

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?