Daddy Frank Diecidue: Trafficante Family Underboss

Frank Diecidue was the underboss of the Trafficante Family of Tampa, Florida where he controlled and oversaw an extensive combination numbers-lottery and Cuban Bolita gambling operations or his borgata.

Francesco (Frank) Diecidue - aka Daddy, Frank Diecidue, and Frank Deci was born on February 20, 1915, in Tampa, Florida.

Diecidue was the son of mafia boss Alfonso Diecidue and his wife, the former Antonina Arcuri, also a connected family through blood to NYC Gambino member Joe Arcuri.

Frank’s two brothers Antonio and Gaetano reportedly also became mafia members.

Frank Diecidue

The Diecidue family hailed from Cianciana, Sicily (Agrigento Province). After immigrating to the U.S. and settling in Tampa, their father, Alfonso, became a major mafia leader there.

Thanks to their father's underworld influence, Frank and his brothers would rise to become top members of the Trafficante Family of Tampa.

Antonio would be installed to a capo’s post. Frank eventually ascended to the family’s number two position as underboss to Santo Trafficante Jr. himself.

Diecidue stood at a mere 5 feet 5 inches tall but weighed a stocky 170 pounds. He had jet-black wavy hair, brown eyes, and a swarthy olive complexion.

A confirmed bachelor, Diecidue resided for years at 4501 10th Avenue in Tampa. He regularly frequented the heavily Italian-populated Ybor City area where he was known to do most of his business.

Diecidue's known hangouts included the Columbia Restaurant, the Italian Club, and the Yellow House Bar, all of which were known mobbed-up locations in the area where fellow hoodlums hung out.

Together, Frank and Antonio owned and operated the Diecidue Produce Company of Tampa.

Frank was also listed as the “manager” of the Italian Club, a private members-only social club, located on East Broadway. This location doubled as the base for a card game gambling operation.

FBI #764739-B, Tampa-PD #53176

Murder and Bolita

Diecidue had a criminal record with the local Tampa Police Department of five arrests on mostly gambling-related charges. Starting in 1944, he was arrested at least three times for violating lottery laws.

In 1958, Diecidue was convicted of heading up an extensive illegal lottery operation and was sentenced to serve five years in prison. He remained free on bail while appealing the conviction.

Some years later, Diecidue was indicted for several murders including that of a local Tampa Police Detective. Although convicted, Diecidue later had this conviction reversed on appeal as well.

Although as the family’s underboss Diecidue was kept abreast of all the family’s activities, Frank’s true strength and forte over the years was his control over an extensive combination numbers-lottery and Cuban Bolita gambling operations he oversaw for his borgata.

Diecidue was said to be the main “banker” and moneyman who backed these gambling rings for the boss.

He was an intimate of virtually every known top member of the Tampa Mafia, including Ignazio (Red) Italiano, Salvatore Falcone, Augustine Primo Lazzara, Frank (Cowboy) Ippolito, Joseph (Jojo) Cacciatore, and Jimmy Costa Longo.

After a nearly fifty-year run at the top of the underworld heap, Frank Diecidue reportedly passed away around 1994. He was 79 years old.

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Daddy Frank Diecidue: Trafficante Family Underboss

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