This next fella needs no introduction at all. During his lifetime, he was to become one of the most recognized and notorious gangsters the United States ever produced. It could be argued that Johnny Dio was the preeminent labor-union racketeer in the nation.
At the height of his underworld power during the 1950s and 1960s, Johnny Dio’s name became a household word, evoking images of a Hollywood gangster straight out of central casting. There was hardly an American citizen unfamiliar with the notorious Johnny Dio.
And despite what many have written to the contrary, technically speaking, John Ignazio Dioguardi held but the rank of a mere Mafia soldier during his lifetime.
But in actuality, Johnny Dio’s awesome power and influence far outstripped that of 99% of his fellow soldiers and outranked that of many top Mafia capos. His criminal exploits are unparalleled and legendary.
So, without further ado, here’s our in-depth look at Johnny Dio!
John (Johnny Dio) Dioguardi — aka; Blackie, John Dioguardio, John Diogardi, John Dio Guardia, Giovanni Ignazio Dioguardi (TN) — was born on Manhattan’s Lower East Side on April 29, 1914. His Italian immigrant-born parents, Domenico Dioguardi and Rosa (nee’ Plumeri), raised their children in a small, cramped apartment tenement building at 174 Forsyth Street.
The Dioguardi family lived just two doors down from Rosa’s brother, Vincenzo Plumeri, who would soon become better known as Jimmy Doyle.
Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!
