Alfred Cupola (Genovese)

Al Cupola

 

Alfred 'Sharky' Cupola was a member of the Genovese Family.

Born 28 May, 1902 in NYC to Vincent Cupolo (35y) Anna Rusciono (24y). Father born in Salerno, Italy.

First arrested in 1919 for disorderly conduct. Second arrest came in 1921 in Boston, Mass. Arrested as 'Tony Lamonte'.

By 1920 he resided at 517 East 117th Street in East Harlem. A few years later the family moved to Queens at 170-38 93rd Ave, in Jamiaca.

In 1922 sentenced to Elmira Reformatory for grand larceny. Released by 1924.

In 1942 listed his employer as his brother-in-law Salvatore 'Sam' Bellitte, owner of Bellitte Bicycles in Jamaica, Queens.

By 1958 he was a made member of the Genovese Family reporting to Michael 'Trigger' Coppola, who headed a large crew in based in the East Harlem. By the early 1960s Cupola was employed as an undertaker at the Giordano Funeral Home in East Harlem and acted as one of Fat Tony Salerno's main associates while Salerno lived part time in Miami.

On March 25, 1960 an FBI CI advised: "that CUPOLA was employed as an undertaker a a Funeral Parlor whose address was unknown. During the interview with he advised that he had known CUPOLA for many years from residing in East Harlem and saw him only a few days ago at the Funeral Parlor at First Avenue, between 115 and 116th Streets. On May 13, 1960, SAS KAAS and WALSH determined the only funeral home in this block to be a Giordano Funeral Home located at 2242 First Avenue, New York. New York."

An FBI report dated July 18, 1960 stated: "Observation of 2242 First Avenue, New York City, New York, by SAS ROGER L. KAAS and EDWARD T. WALSH, JR., on. July 18, 1960, revealed that on the ground floor mail box there appeared the name A. SALERNO. 2242 First Avenue, in New York City, also contains the Giordano Funeral Home, at which it was alleged that ALFRED CUPOLA could be located. CUPOLA is allegedly a close associate of SALERNO."

On June 6, 1961, an FBI CI advised: "that AL CUPPOLA, also known as SHARKY, FBI Number 1944783, and described as an associate of [ANTHONY SALERNO] is responsible for [SALERNO'S] percentage in the policy play in New York. SHARKY allegedly places this money in the form of a cashiers check or money order which is purchased in a bank near 116th Street and 1st Avenue, New York City."

On January 11, 1962 FBI agents attemted to interview CUPOLA but the attempt was apparently unsuccessful: "CUPOLA replied that he would not be interviewed and that it was in the hands of his attorney. However, CUPOLA did not offer his present whereabouts or the name of his attorney ... On January 11, 1962 [FBI CI] advised that CUPOLA might be located in or around a social club in East Harlem, known as the Democratic Club, located on 116th Street between First and Second Avenues."

On May 16, 1966 indicted with five others for extortion and loan-sharking. Codefendants included Genovese Family members Louis 'Bobby' Manna (future Genovese Family Consigliere) and Lawrence Dentico. Charges included trying to extort money from a Hoboken pier operator. Cleared of charges the following year.

He died October 15, 1974.

Alexander Rosato (Genovese)

 

A. Rosato

 

Alexander 'Al Ross' Rosato was a member of the Genovese Family.

Born July 8, 1914 in Manhattan to Carmine Rosato (26y) and Olivia Patriarca (19y). Both parents born in Castelforto, Lazio, Italy. Father worked as a carpenter.

By 1920 resided at 324 112 St in East Harlem, Manhattan.

By 1935 the Rosato family had moved from East Harlem to Queens and resided at 56-48 Van Cleef St, in the Corona section.

In 1940 claimed employment with Thomas Galante & Sons in the Bronx.

On Christmas Eve 1945 cleared of robbery charges along with Johnny Earle and John McQueeney. The trio was accused of robbing two executives of the Planetary Recreation Inc., a firm which had the checking concessions at most of Manhattan's biggest nightclubs, as they were about to enter the firm's office at 111 West 34th street, Manhattan, on June 11 1945. Johnny Earle would be murdered by members of the Genovese Family in 1957.

In 1950 resided at 2515 36th Ave in Astoria, Queens.

According to FBI CI and self-proclaimed Lucchese Soldier Carmine 'Fats' Taglialatela during an 1969 interview, Rosato became an inducted member of the Genovese Family about 1951, reporting to Capodecina Mike 'Trigger' Coppola, head of the family's East Harlem crew:

"[Taglialatela] identified one AL ROSS, an Italian whos real name temporarily eluded the source as a "member" of the TOMMY RYAN family of LCN. He ie in BENNY SQUINT's regime (PHILIP LOMBARDO) and makes his headquartere at a club located two doors down from a paint store on 2nd Avenue between 118th and 117th Streets in New York City. ROSS can be found at this club generally between 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM. The source said ROSS is one of the largeet shylocke in Manhattan and a very vicious individual who would not hesitate to kill.

[Taglialatela] source said ROSS killed a [victim] in 1953-54 for failing to pay off a $500 loan and for getting "out of line' on the telephone when he was talking to ROSS. The source said this [victim] got abusive on the phone and ROSS asked him to come to the club where they could settle this difference as gentlemen. When the [victim] arrived, ROSS talked him into the hallway next to the club and there killed him with a revolver. With the assistance of one LOUIE DOME (phonetic) [Louis Pacella], a possible relative of ROSS, the body was loaded into a car and driven to a section in the Bronx where it was dumped among trash cans. LOUIE was "made" a member for his assistance in this killing, with ROSS acting as his sponsor. [Taglialatela] advised that ROSS was "made" in 1950-51 at BENNY SQUINT's headquarters at 116th Street and 1st Avenue. He was made under the sponsorship of MIKE COPPOLA." 

Louie 'Dome' Pacella

On October 23, 1961 an FBI CI advised that: "ALEXANDER ROSATO also known as AL ROSS, New York City Police Department (NYCPD) #114210, has a reputation in East Harlem of being the right hand man for MIKE COPPOLA and [Tony] SALERNO. This informant understands ROSS handles COPPOLA's and SALERNO's policy interest in East Harlem, and reportedly travels between New York City and Florida by airplance carrying large amounts of cash to SALERNO and COPPOLA."

In February 1962 included on the FBI's list of identified Genovese Family members.

By the early 1960's Rosato resided part-time in the Miami area having joined Michael Coppola and 'Fat Tony' Salerno.

On March 15 1962 FBI agents interviewed Alexander Rosato in Miami: "[Rosato] advised during an interview that he grew up with ANTHONY SALERNO in the East Harlem area of NY. He stated that Salerno was in the fruit or produce business in NY but would not elaborate on this. He denied knowing SALERNO's business activities or sources of income. He stated that Salerno occasionally came by Imperial Liquors, Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami, where Rosato was employed, and he had seen him around 23rd and Collins, Miami."

On February 19, 1963, an FBI CI advised: "he had learned that ANTHONY SALERNO, MICHAEL COPPOLA and ALEXANDER ROSATO, also known as AL ROSS, had invested $100,000 each in a legitimate loan company in Miami, Florida. This informant was not aware of the company's name or any other details concerning this venture."

In the early to mid 1960's Philip Lombardo replaced Michael Coppola as Capodecina of the East Harlem crew.

On March 22, 1973, an FBI CI advised as follows: "PHILIP LOMBARDO continues to be the titular head of the GENOVESE Family, LA COSA NOSTRA, having close associaton with AL ROSATO [redacted], informant further advised that ROSATO has gained stature in the family since LOMBARDO has taken over due to ROSATO's wealth from loan-sharking and his past close association with LOMBARDO."

On March 23, 1977 an FBI CI present at Palma Boys Social club reported: "Source advised that over the weekend Benny Lombardo, Genovese Capo, returned from Florida. On the afternoon of 3/21/77 he was at the Palma Boys Social Club on E.116th St. NYC and the following individuals appeared at the club to welcome him home. Al Rosato, [redacted] Joe Stracci, [redacted] Sammy Santoro, Fat Tony Salerno [redacted]"

By 1983 resided at 141-60 11th Avenue in Whitestone, Queens.

Alexander Rosato died February 15, 1986.