Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone: The Upstate Mobster Who Couldn’t Escape Apalachin

Ignazio “Sonny” Cannone was a rising Bonanno Family mobster with deep Mafia ties. His mob standing was clearly evidenced by his attendance at the infamous Mafia Meeting at Joe Barbara's estate in Apalachin, NY, in 1957.

Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone -- aka Nat and Ignatius -- was born in New York City on November 12, 1925. Cannone seems to have migrated to upstate Endicott/Binghamton, New York, early on, residing for years at 3634 Rath Avenue in the Endwell section. At some point, he also lived in Florida, commuting to New York state as needed.

He was the nephew of Bonanno powerhouse Natale (Joe Diamond) Evola and Bonanno consigliere Stefano (Stevie Beef) Cannone.

Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone

He was a well-liked young associate with good Family connections who was formally inducted by age 30. His mob standing was clearly evidenced by his attendance at the infamous BBQ in 1957 at Barbara’s Apalachin home.

His father, Diego, was a suspected early member of the Upstate Family. So, his connections ran pretty deep, as several Family leaders and old Family friends were members.

He was suspected of being active in local gambling operations and illegal liquor trafficking. He also operated several local bars and restaurants, including Nat’s Place and The Plaza Lounge.

After the debacle at Apalachin, and with the extensive exposure received, authorities went on a harassment campaign against Cannone, rousting him and arresting him for any minor violation regardless of what it was. As an example, he was pulled over and arrested for driving 50 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour speed limit zone by state troopers.

Another example was when Sonny was arrested for serving a single beer and highball precisely 23 minutes after the legal 1 a.m. bar curfew in the city. He ended up pleading guilty and paying a $50 fine. He would also be stopped and frisked indiscriminately, all part of a harassment campaign stemming from the Apalachin meeting.

Cannone later chose to relocate back to the New York City area. He was suspected of possibly having transferred his membership back under his uncle Natale, who subsequently rose to Family boss.

Frank Cannone

He was a suspected partner of his brother Frank in gambling operations. Frank maintained a gambling operation in the Binghamton area under the auspices of Anthony (Gov) Guarnieri and the Bufalino Family .

The familial ties, going back to common Castellammarese heritage, bound the Bonanno, Buffalo, and Binghamton members regardless of formal Family affiliations allowing for cooperation and mutual endeavors.

Associates of Cannone included Pasquale Turrigiano, Angelo Sciandra, and Evola, among many others.

Cannone had a minor arrest record for disorderly conduct and assault, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to obstruct justice for the Apalachin meeting, for which he received three years of incarceration, but it was eventually overturned on appeal.

Unfortunately, if unable to jail him, the federal authorities ruined him financially by revoking his liquor licenses for both bars. It was a move that was a factor in his relocation back to Brooklyn, where he then seemed to have successfully kept a low profile, avoiding any additional trouble with the law in the following years.

Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone died on January 5, 1981, at the relatively young age of 56.

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone: The Upstate Mobster Who Couldn’t Escape Apalachin

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Ignazio (Sonny) Cannone: The Upstate Mobster Who Couldn’t Escape Apalachin

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