Even though Tony D’Anna endured several tragedies early in his life, he became not only a successful gangster but also a revered civic leader.
Through his keen business acumen, strategic real estate investments, and bold dealings with the Ford Motor Company, Tony amassed untold millions for himself and the Zerilli/Tocco Family. But he also spearheaded highly successful war bond drives during World War II and positively impacted his community in other ways.
As you’ll find out, Tony D’Anna was a different kind of gangster.
Button Guys would like to thank Mobster Chronicles for their help in putting this story together.
Tragic Beginnings
Anthony (Tony) D’Anna – also known as “Tony Danna,” “Tony Cars,” “Tony D,” and “Anthony John D’Anna” (TN) – was the eldest child born to Pasquale and Caterina (nee Giannola) D’Anna on December 10, 1899, in San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily.
In 1907, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and two younger siblings, arriving on Ellis Island via the passenger ship S.S. Duca Degli Abruzzi. Shortly thereafter, the family migrated to Wyandotte, Michigan, just south of Detroit. By that time, many of their fellow amici from Italy had also migrated to the Detroit area.
Tony’s parents eventually had four other children together, but tragedy struck when his mother died of sepsis on January 2, 1915, after suffering a late-term miscarriage. The D’Anna’s infant son, who was named Joseph, died only three days later. Tony was just 15 at the time.
In 1919, tragedy struck the D’Anna family once again.
