Their rich history as the linchpin for the Sicilian mafia’s entrance into the United States has been well documented for over 100 years. These Castellammarese (Casteddammaresi in Sicilian) based “men of honor” have always benefitted from the closest of relations of blood family and “amici” across the ocean to their “medicana cugini.” All Sicilian coscas across the Island recognize these strong connections and look toward the Castellammare Family as the “tie that binds” the two Mafias together.
There have been many notable mafiosi who originated from Castellammare into North America to become major underworld players. Many “Families” created in America were formed or led by Castellammarese. These include Maranzano/Bonanno (NYC,) Palmeri/Magaddino (Buffalo,) Milazzo (Detroit,), etc., but little is known of the origins as well as the “ongoing” Family membership of the Castellammarese back in Sicily.
The following list of names, all either born in or having descended from Castellammare del Golfo and its neighboring towns, were primary players in the American underworld landscape from the early 1900s through modern times.
A disproportionate number of mafiosi have been spawned through the years by this seaside town of only 17,000 inhabitants.
And the same surnames have operated, decade after decade, generation after generation,in both Castellammare del Golfo and the United States for over 100 years. Minore, Galante, Buccellato, Asaro, Bonventre, Garofalo, Adamo, Magaddino, Evola, Sabella, Puma, Mazzara, Fiordilino, Badalamenti, Sottile and on and on.
The Cosa Nostra or “Societa Onorata” (The Honored Society) has been and is their birthright and their tradition! It is the Castellammarese way of life!
