Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro

Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro was a Bonanno capo and an extremely close associate of the fearsome Carmine Galante.

Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro - aka "Joe Knot" - was born in 1910 in NYC. He resided for decades at 2885 Harrington Avenue in the Bronx. He had a cousin named Peter Notaro, who was also a soldier in this Family.

Notaro stood 5-foot 7-inches tall, weighed 160 pounds, and had grey eyes and dark brown hair. The lightly-complected Notaro was slightly bald toward the back of his head. He was also reported to have suffered for years with a bad ticker.

FBI # 452993A

Joe had only one arrest for interstate transportation of stolen property in 1950. He was never known to engage in any legitimate business or occupation.

Notaro was known as an extremely close associate and aide to Carmine Galante, holding the position of a “Capo di decina” for many years under Galante.

He was a courier for Galante, ferrying messages back and forth to Galante from the rank and file of the organization.

And Little Joe Notaro was one of the very few men highly trusted by Bonanno himself during the years of conflict knowing that Notaro was firmly in his corner.

In fact, on December 23, 1964, Notaro, Vito DeFilippo, and Joe Zicarelli were caught on an FBI “bug” planted in the office of NJ mob boss Sam DeCavalcante discussing the Bonanno affair.

Notaro said he was one of the few still in contact with Bonanno and that he was authorized to negotiate on behalf of Bonanno before the Commission.

He was alleged to have handled international heroin transactions for the Family and was the coordinator and overseer of operations and the smuggling through Montreal, Florida, and Cuba into New York City and New Jersey.

Lester Miraglia, a known narcotics trafficker was nabbed in 1957 by the FBN and received a 6-year federal jail term. The investigation into Miraglia’s case also led to and exposed Notaro and his drug ring.

And previously in 1952, a narcotics probe into the activities of a known drug peddler, Charles Schiffman in San Francisco uncovered evidence that Schiffman was affiliated with both Zicarelli and Notaro in the drug traffic.

Notaro's associates over the years included Joseph Bonanno, Carmine (Lilo) Galante, Michael (Mimi) Sabella , Peter Notaro, John (The Ambassador) Petrone, Joseph Orsini, Michael Consolo , and Joseph (Bayonne Joe) Zicarelli.

Notaro operated out of the Diamond Exchange at 36 West 47th Street and the Jeweler’s Exchange at 37 W. 47th Street. He also used Moretti’s Bar at 60 W. 48th Street as a base over the years.

With the advent of the Bonanno conflict starting in 1965, Notaro was known as a staunch supporter of his boss Joe Bonanno. Repeated attempts to sway his vote and support behind the insurgent faction looking to wrest control of the borgata from Bonanno were to no avail.

Notaro as well as Joe Zicarelli and others under the Galante/Bonanno axis stayed loyal. At one point, they started to fear for their lives after being subtly threatened by the Commission.

In May of 1966, Bonanno suddenly emerged again after having disappeared 18 months earlier.

After casually walking into a federal courthouse accompanied by his attorney and posting bail Bonanno, along with several trusted disciples including his capo brother-in-law Frank LaBruzzo and Notaro, decided to celebrate his return by dining at the famed La Scala Italian Restaurant in midtown Manhattan.

Soon after making a toast of wine, Notaro complained of chest pains and suddenly collapsed to the floor. He died almost immediately of a massive heart attack.

Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro passed away at the very young age of 56 years old. His death was a serious blow to the structure of the borgata but more importantly, at that time, to the Joe Bonanno faction of the Family.

Notaro had been a staunch supporter of his Representante, and his presence would be sorely missed as the violence started.

Until next time..."The Other Guy!"

Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro

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Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro

Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!

Tour the Underworld with Button Guys

Dive Deeper into the Underworld

Dominick Trinchera and the Three Capos Murder

Sereno (Bobby T) Tartamella

Matteo (Matty) Valvo

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