This is the second part of our story about an old-time mafioso named Jack Scarpulla and members of his blood family as Button Guys takes another deep dive into the New York Mafia. This time around we highlight the life and career of one of the more anonymous and highly-respected original members of that borgata’s so-called Sicilian faction. He was a man who was on intimate terms with such noted underworld leaders as Vincent (Vince) Mangano, Carlo (Don Carlo) Gambino, and Frank (Don Cheech) Scalice, his wife’s brother.
A savvy and accomplished mafioso, for over a half-century, Scarpulla quietly went about his business generating money and developing new streams of revenue for himself and the borgata while successfully navigating the often treacherous and deadly waters of the underworld. We hope you enjoy this unique visit into Cosa Nostra’s inner sanctum.
Giacomo (Jack) Scarpulla — aka Giacomino, Jack Scarpata, and Michele Giacomo Scarpulla (TN) — was born on May 16, 1899, in Palermo, Sicily. His parents were Giacomo and Marianna (nee’ Quadrini) Scarpulla. (alternate dob 04-19-1900).
NYCPD #B-113221, FBI #983998, NJPD #B-8212, ATU #5776-M, INS #5361295
Scarpulla was described as standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and having a stout build at approximately 185 pounds. He had a dark Mediterranean complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair, which turned completely white by his early-fifties.
He was listed on the U.S. Justice Department’s records as an “acting caporegime” in the Carlo Gambino Family. After the 1957 murders of his two brothers-in-law, Frank and Joseph Scalici, it’s believed Scarpulla was installed to serve as the new “capo” for the members of Joe Scalici’s former Bronx regime.
On a government chart depicting the Gambino Family membership compiled by the FBI back in 1963, Giacomo Scarpulla was identified as being active in extortion, bootlegging, strong-arm and murder. He was also suspected of dabbling in the narcotics trade.
He married Rosa Scalici, the sister of the Mafia’s notorious Scalici brothers clan, led by Francesco (Don Cheech) Scalici.
Jack and Rosa had three children together, two sons and daughter, who they named Angelo, Peter and Maria Anna, respectively.
According to New York City Police Department files, Scarpulla’s criminal history dated back to the early 1930s. In the coming years, he would add to his anti-social register with several additional arrests.
His criminal record is believed to have officially commenced on April 7, 1933, when he was arrested in the Bronx on a grand larceny charge, which was dismissed four days later. In the coming years, he was picked a number of times, including for grand larceny again in (1935) for operating a confidence game swindle; disorderly person in (1937) for which he was given a suspected sentence; conspiracy and untaxed alcohol (1939) for which he was convicted and served a 18-month term in Danbury Federal Prison; and a “fugitive from justice” charge in (1942).
Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!
