Cola Schiro
Years as Boss: 1929-1930 (Retired)
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Cola Schiro is considered the first true boss of the Bonanno Family that was based in Brooklyn. Like every other Family at the time, Schiro was a bootlegger. He also made good money off illegal gambling. Schiro resigned in 1930 and was replaced by Salvatore Maranzano.
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Salvatore Maranzano
Years as Boss: 1930-1931
(Died)
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Maranzano was a big man during the time of the Prohibition. During this time, he like everyone else in the underworld made a lot of money. It ended up that after Prohibition, he became the leader of the Castellemarese group of Italians. They were persecuted by Joe Masseria and soon war broke out. The battles to follow were known as the Castellemarese War. Maranzano was a great fighter and ended up killing Masseria, and becoming the "Boss of Bosses" in New York in 1931. To establish peace, he set up a meeting between all the family heads. It was here that the "Commission" was first born. Within the next few months though, he and Lucky Luciano would square off. Maranzano ended up being killed in 1931 at his office by men posing as IRS agents. He had been expecting a visit from them. (?-1931)
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Joe Bonanno
Years as Boss: 1931-1964
(Retired)
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Joe Bonanno was the man who was elected by the Castellemarese to take over the family. He was named as the replacement on the "Commission" by Lucky Luciano when he took over as the "Boss of Bosses." But in the 60's Joe started the "Banana War". He planned on overthrowing all the New York families. When the families found out the war started. During the war Bonanno was kidnapped and his son was almost assassinated. Joe's influence on the "Commission" was heard until 1968 when he was forced to retire. The Bonanno Family was banned from the Commisionm after that. Joe later moved to Tucson were he set up a Outfit there that was acually connected to the Family back in New York. Bonanno really did retire sometime in the 80s. Died (5/11/2002)
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Frank LaBruzzo
Years as Boss: 1964-1966
(Retired)
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No information Available.
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Gaspare DeGregoria
Years as Boss: 1966-1968
(Retired)
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Gaspare was the son-in-law of Stephan Magaddino and the right hand man of Joe Bonanno. He took over the Family when Bonanno was kidnapped. This split his Family into two factions. He resigned in 1966 due to health problems. Paul Sciacca would take over.
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Paul Sciacca
Years as Boss: 1968-1968
(Arrested)
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Was promoted to boss by the Commision when Gaspar DiGregorio resigned. When an attemp was made on Salvator Bonanno life, Joe suspected Sciacca and ordered those still loyal to him to kill Sciacca. A bloody war between Bonanno and Sciacca started. at least 20 men on both sides were killed and even more injured. The war ended in 1969 when Bonanno promised to retire to Tucson. Sciarcca died in 1970. He was replaced by Natale "Joe Diamonds" Evola.
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Natale Evola
Years as Boss: 1968-1973
(Died)
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"Joe Diamonds" took over a weakened Family that was torn by civil war. Evola was a major drug trafficer and a labor racketeer. He died in 1973. He was replaced by Phillip "Rusty" Rastelli.
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Phillip Rastelli
Years as Boss: 1973-1974
(Arrested)
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Took over after Evola died. "Rusty" was a major drug trafficer, loanshark, and labor racketeer. He was convicted in 1971 for loansharking and received four years. When Evola died he was appointed to run the Family from prison. He was released early but was convicted in 1975 for operating an exortion racket. He received 10 years and would resign and give his position to Carmen Galante. (?-1991)
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Carmine Galante
Years as Boss: 1974-1979
(Died)
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Galante was known as one of the worst killers in organized crime. He was supposed to be fearless and just plain ruthless. He spent many years in prison on a conviction for narcotics, but ended up the head of the Bonanno Family after "Rusty" went to prison. It was once said that Galante would go up to hardened black prisoners waiting in line and tell them to "get the fuck out the way, niggers." This is something normal prisoners could never do, but Galante held so much power and fear that he could do what he wanted. However, Galante was put out of his misery in 1979 when he was massacred in a hit. (?-1979)
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Phillip Rastelli
Years as Boss: 1979-1991
(Died)
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Phillip Rastelli was the man to take over after the demise of Carmine Galante. He ruled for a time when the Bonannos were banned from the Commission and when he was in prison. He survived an attempt in the early 80s to overthrow him. He was no real challenge to the FBI because they got him again and sent him back to prison for twelve more years in 1986 on racketeering. He died in prison on June 24, 1991.
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Joey Massino
Years as Boss: 1991 - Present
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A top capo under Philip "Rusty" Rastelli and Dominic "Sonny Black" Napolitano in the early 1980s, Joseph C. "Big Joey" Massino allegedly took over the Family in 1991, being the acting boss since 1986, though he is currently in prison. The supposed boss of the Bonanno Family at the present. I don't really know much about him, but the Bonannos are supposed to be prospering and on the up. The Bonannos number around 110 "made" members. Salvatore Vitale is the underboss and Anthony Spero is consigliere. (1936 - still alive)
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