Joe Profaci – The Olive Oil King
Boss Joe Profaci was one of the most business savvy and powerful Mafia members ever in the entire United States.
Formulated from the ashes of early mob strife in the South Brooklyn area, what became known as the Profaci Family arguably had its origins among several underworld factions vying for power. Francesco (Frankie Yale) Ioele, an early Camorra boss, Michael (The Sweetheart) Abbatemarco, his number two, and Sicilian Giuseppe (The Clutch Hand) Peraino were just a few of several powers who clashed for supremacy. With the culmination of the Castellammarese War, Salvatore DiBella was said to have led the borgata until Giuseppe (Joe) Profaci, whose Family had been prominent Mafiosi (The Zubbio) back in Villabate, Sicily on the outskirts of Palermo proper, became the recognized power in the Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Coney Island, Flatbush, and
Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn. Profaci had sided with Maranzano and the Castellammrese in the war.
Over the next 30 years, his Family would expand in vast power over other sections of Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Long Island. He also had a regime in New Jersey and varied members in Manhattan, Westchester, Connecticut, and Florida. Profaci’s tremendous power expanded with his childrens’ and nieces’ marriages to those of the Detroit Family bosses Joseph Zerilli and William Tocco and a niece’s marriage to Joseph Bonanno’s son. This solidified the Family’s power!
The Profaci Family, who numbered about 150 strong with over 1000 associates, specialized in gambling, shylocking, hijacking and cargo theft, and business infiltration on a tremendous scale as evidenced by Profaci holdings such as Alpine Wine & Liquors Inc., Arrow Linen Supply Co., Mamma Mia Packing Co., Santuzza Oil Co., Mama Mia Imports Inc., Sunshine Edible Oils, Corp…multi-million dollar firms that they or their successors, (Colavita Olive Oil Company and Roma Foods Inc.) still operate to this day!
In 1959, a rebel faction headed by the Gallo brothers led a revolt within the Family. And over the next 35 years, two more internal Family wars would claim scores of lives, marring, and vastly weakening, the strength and resources of this borgata. With Profaci’s death in 1962 and a short interim leadership by Giuseppe Magliocco, capo Joseph Colombo would rise to be Family boss by 1964. Colombo further expanded the Family’s influence, wealth, and power until his attempted assassination in 1971.
After a few interim acting bosses, Carmine Persico would rise to power and lead for the next 40 years backed by a supporting cast of such mob luminaries as the notorious underboss John (Sonny) Franzese, Alphonse (Allie Boy) Persico, Sebastiano (Buster) Aloi, his son Vincent Aloi, and Salvatore (Sally Pro) Profaci – son of the borgata’s founding father.
Below is a listing of bios and snapshots on Colombo Family members and associates. They are generally listed in alphabetical order. New and updated bios will be highlighted under the Colombo Family Spotlight tab in the sidebar column.
Boss Joe Profaci was one of the most business savvy and powerful Mafia members ever in the entire United States.
Giuseppe (Joe Malyoke) Magliocco had a very well-known name but little was really ever known about his personal life or mafia career.
Joe Colombo was the boss of the Colombo Family until a bullet struck him down. Was it the work of Gallo or a secret organization?
Carmine (Junior) Persico was the boss of the Colombo Crime Family who became one of the most powerful gangsters of all time.
Lawrence Abbandando was originally affiliated with the Profaci/Colombo Family in the crew of top capodecina John (Sonny) Franzese.
Benedetto (Benny) Aloi was a Colombo Family consigliere ctive in policy with his father for many years.
Sebastiano (Buster) Aloi was a well-respected mafioso instrumental in the formation of the Colombo Family and a mentor to Sonny Franzese.
Vincenzo (Vinny) Aloi served in the borgata as a top capo and its “acting boss” after the shooting of Colombo in 1971.
Simone (Sam) Andolino was a Joe Profaci confidante primarily active in the gambling and bookmaking rackets for the Colombo Family.
Louis Arcuri was a veteran Colombo associate who was very active in the streets and a “dyed in the wool” thief and trickster.
Tony the Gawk Augello was an intimidating Colombo soldier who got himself into a bind with Carmine Persico's son, Little Allie Boy.
William Bacino was a Colombo associate “with” Family soldier and close aide to Vincent (Peg Leg Jimmy) Giordano, a top loanshark.
Salvatore Beldaio was a KG in New York City for years and was first publicly identified as an associate of the Joseph Colombo Family in 1969.
Michael Belvedere was active as a trickster who, over the years, planned and participated in several high-profile robberies.
From city to city and state to state, Button Guys of The New York Mafia breaks down the history of organized crime in America. Through deep-dive biographies and snapshots of mobsters to in-depth stories about mafia regimes and crews, you’ll uncover an underworld you might never have known existed – maybe even in your own hometown!
Copyright © 2019-2023, Button Guys of The New York Mafia. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2019-2023. Button Guys of The New York Mafia. All Rights Reserved.