Joseph (Gijo) Barra: Gambling was a Family Business

Joseph (Gijo) Barra was considered an “up and coming” young mafioso in the Genovese Crime Family involved in gambling and the nightclub life in partnership with his brothers and father, Modeste Barra.

Joseph Barra - aka “Gigio,” “Gijo,” “Jojo" and “Gigi”- was born in the Portchester area of the county in May of 1928.

By 1961, he was residing at 110 Ward Drive in New Rochelle where he and his wife Frances would raise their two sons.

Joseph (Gijo) Barra

He often visited the Fort Pierce area of Florida where his family members were active in the building of track homes and land development.

He also had a father Modeste (Morris), uncle Joseph, and a brother Rocco also active in “The Life.”

Gijo stood at 5-foot 7-inches tall and was solidly built at 175-pounds with straight full-black hair and hazel eyes. Law enforcement stated he was a “dapper” dresser known for wearing expensive clothing.

Modeste (Mickey Morris) Barra

Rocco Barra

FBI # 164400A, NYCPD # B-299256

Criminal Activities

His activities included bookmaking, shylocking, wholesaling narcotics, strong arm, and bar infiltration.

In partnership with his brother and father, Barra controlled a Bronx gambling network for decades. He was also known to maintain a “shylock” book, giving out usurious loans to needy Bronx gamblers and business people.

His limited criminal record commenced in 1943 and included:

• Juvenile delinquency

• Assault (twice)

• Perjury

• Narcotics conspiracy (no disposition on this case publicly available)

In partnership with his father and brothers held ownership interests over the years in several bars and nightclubs (Capri Lounge, The Monterey Club, Blue Moon Tavern) in the Bronx section of New York City.

This would serve as his “hang out” area, the Crescent Avenue section around 187th Street was their main base of operations.

Barra was listed as an Anastasia/Gambino Family “soldier” or formally inducted member. There is some confusion over affiliation between this borgata and the Genovese Family with which he was also closely affiliated.

What is known is that he was “sponsored” for membership through his father and he, as well as his brother, gained “entrance” shortly before they closed “the books” in 1957-58.

Close Associates

His Mafia associates have included the notorious Frank (Don Cheech) Scalice, former underboss to Albert Anastasia. He was suspected of being a trusted aide and narcotics distributor for Scalice.

Additional close associates included:

• His father, uncle, and older brother

• Nicholas DiBene

• James (Jimmy Ward) Massi

• Michael (Mike Rosie) Maione

• Giacomo (Jack) Scarpulla

• Dominick (Chubby) Carminati

• The Pisciotta brothers

• Anthony (Tony the Geep) Sedotto

• Michael (The Geep) Sedotto

Faded From Attention

Barra was considered an “up and coming” young mafioso under his father's auspices in conjunction with his brother Rocky.

In his later years, by the 1970s-80s era, he faded from the attention of local and federal law enforcement.

His father and uncle, Mickey and Joe respectively, were aging, and I think the Barra boys, the sons Gijo and Rocky, had really operated under the guidance and auspices of their elders.

As the older generation aged out, the children eased up on their operations as well. No dod was available for Joseph Barra’s death.

Joseph (Gijo) Barra: Gambling was a Family Business

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Joseph (Gijo) Barra: Gambling was a Family Business

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