Al Tornabene
Encyclopedia
Alfonso "Al the Pizza Man" Tornabene (1923 - May 17, 2009) was a Chicago-area resident who was reported by several newspapers to have been a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit
crime organization.
. He and his family later expanded the business to three other locations around Chicago.
In 1997, Tornabene was identified by the Chicago Crime Commission
in its "New Faces of Organized Crime" book as being a member of the Chicago Outfit
crime organization. Tornabene was identified as being a lieutenant for the Outfit's West Side Crew, which at that time was run by Anthony Centracchio
.
Subsequently, Tornabene was identified as having helped to run the Chicago Outfit
while its then-boss, James Marcello
, was imprisoned between 1992 and 2003.
Court records also showed that Tornabene had presided over a 1983 ceremony that made several mobsters full members of the Outfit, including Frank Calabrese, Sr.
and Nicholas Calabrese
. Tornabene had presided over the ceremony along with Joseph Aiuppa
, Nicholas Calabrese
told federal investigators.
In 2007, the Chicago Crime Commission
's then-chief, James Wagner, told the Chicago Tribune
that Tornabene was running the Outfit's activities in Chicago's south suburbs.
In 2009, Tornabene was identified as having been an original target in the Operation Family Secrets mob investigation in 2002, an investigation that ultimately sent Chicago Outfit members James Marcello
, Joseph Lombardo
and Frank Calabrese, Sr.
to federal prison for life. However, Tornabene was never charged in the Family Secrets case.
One of Tornabene's associates, Anthony Zizzo, disappeared on August 31, 2006 after leaving his house in Westmont, Illinois
. Zizzo's car was abandoned at a restaurant in Melrose Park, Illinois
.
of complications related to peptic ulcer disease.
Tornabene was reported to be the cousin of Chicago Outfit boss Samuel Carlisi. He also was reported to have been the brother of the late Frank Tornabene, who was active in Chicago Outfit
vice rackets.
The Tornabenes are also related by marriage to Rod Blagojevich
. Frank Tornabene was a great uncle to Blagojevich's wife Patty, Patricia Mell Blagojevich.
Tornabene lived for most of his life in Stickney, Illinois
.
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
crime organization.
Career as a pizzeria owner
In 1955, Tornabene opened the Villa Nova pizzeria in Stickney, IllinoisStickney, Illinois
Stickney is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,148 at the 2000 census. It was well known in the 1920s and early 1930s as the home for several bordellos linked to mobster Al Capone's empire....
. He and his family later expanded the business to three other locations around Chicago.
Career in the Chicago Outfit
Tornabene began his career in the Outfit as a bookie. However, he never had a criminal record of any kind.In 1997, Tornabene was identified by the Chicago Crime Commission
Chicago Crime Commission
The Chicago Crime Commission is an independent, non-partisan civic watchdog organization of business leaders dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of organized criminal activity, especially organized crime, street gangs and the tools of their trade: drugs, guns, public corruption,...
in its "New Faces of Organized Crime" book as being a member of the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
crime organization. Tornabene was identified as being a lieutenant for the Outfit's West Side Crew, which at that time was run by Anthony Centracchio
Anthony Centracchio
Anthony Centracchio was a reputed mob boss in the Chicago Outfit who died in 2001 while awaiting trial on federal racketeering charges.- Role as Chicago Outfit leader :...
.
Subsequently, Tornabene was identified as having helped to run the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
while its then-boss, James Marcello
James Marcello
James J. “Little Jimmy, Jimmy Light” Marcello , also known as Jimmy "the Man" Marcello, is an imprisoned crime boss who was a front boss for the Chicago Outfit criminal organization in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s...
, was imprisoned between 1992 and 2003.
Court records also showed that Tornabene had presided over a 1983 ceremony that made several mobsters full members of the Outfit, including Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr. , also known as "Frankie Breeze," is a made man and a caporegime who ran major loansharking and illegal gambling operations for the Chicago Outfit. He is best known as a central figure in Operation Family Secrets and the subsequent Federal trial.-Early life:Frank Calabrese, Sr...
and Nicholas Calabrese
Nicholas Calabrese
Nicholas W. Calabrese is the first made man ever to testify against the Chicago Outfit. His testimony and cooperation with federal prosecutors helped result in the 2007 murder convictions of mobsters Joseph Lombardo, James Marcello and Frank Calabrese, Sr.- Early life and work outside of the...
. Tornabene had presided over the ceremony along with Joseph Aiuppa
Joseph Aiuppa
Joseph John Aiuppa , also known as "Doves," "Mourning Doves," "O'Brien," or "Joey Doves," was a Chicago mobster who became a leader of the Chicago Outfit.-Early career:...
, Nicholas Calabrese
Nicholas Calabrese
Nicholas W. Calabrese is the first made man ever to testify against the Chicago Outfit. His testimony and cooperation with federal prosecutors helped result in the 2007 murder convictions of mobsters Joseph Lombardo, James Marcello and Frank Calabrese, Sr.- Early life and work outside of the...
told federal investigators.
In 2007, the Chicago Crime Commission
Chicago Crime Commission
The Chicago Crime Commission is an independent, non-partisan civic watchdog organization of business leaders dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of organized criminal activity, especially organized crime, street gangs and the tools of their trade: drugs, guns, public corruption,...
's then-chief, James Wagner, told the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
that Tornabene was running the Outfit's activities in Chicago's south suburbs.
In 2009, Tornabene was identified as having been an original target in the Operation Family Secrets mob investigation in 2002, an investigation that ultimately sent Chicago Outfit members James Marcello
James Marcello
James J. “Little Jimmy, Jimmy Light” Marcello , also known as Jimmy "the Man" Marcello, is an imprisoned crime boss who was a front boss for the Chicago Outfit criminal organization in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s...
, Joseph Lombardo
Joseph Lombardo
Joseph Patrick “Joey the Clown” Lombardo Sr. , also known as "Joe Padula," "Lumbo," and "Lumpy", is an imprisoned American mafioso and a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit crime organization...
and Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr.
Frank Calabrese, Sr. , also known as "Frankie Breeze," is a made man and a caporegime who ran major loansharking and illegal gambling operations for the Chicago Outfit. He is best known as a central figure in Operation Family Secrets and the subsequent Federal trial.-Early life:Frank Calabrese, Sr...
to federal prison for life. However, Tornabene was never charged in the Family Secrets case.
One of Tornabene's associates, Anthony Zizzo, disappeared on August 31, 2006 after leaving his house in Westmont, Illinois
Westmont, Illinois
Westmont is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. Westmont is a community of six square miles in area, with a 2007 population of 26,211...
. Zizzo's car was abandoned at a restaurant in Melrose Park, Illinois
Melrose Park, Illinois
Melrose Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is a "near-in" suburb of Chicago. The population was 23,171 at the 2000 census. Melrose Park has long been home to a large Italian-American population, though now it is majority Mexican-American. It was the home of Kiddieland...
.
Death
Tornabene died on May 17, 2009 at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, IllinoisBerwyn, Illinois
Berwyn is a city in Cook County, Illinois, co-existent with Berwyn Township, which was formed in 1908 after breaking off from Cicero Township. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 54,016.-Demographics:...
of complications related to peptic ulcer disease.
Personal
Tornabene's wife died in 1988. He was survived by one daughter, a sister and a granddaughter.Tornabene was reported to be the cousin of Chicago Outfit boss Samuel Carlisi. He also was reported to have been the brother of the late Frank Tornabene, who was active in Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
vice rackets.
The Tornabenes are also related by marriage to Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
. Frank Tornabene was a great uncle to Blagojevich's wife Patty, Patricia Mell Blagojevich.
Tornabene lived for most of his life in Stickney, Illinois
Stickney, Illinois
Stickney is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,148 at the 2000 census. It was well known in the 1920s and early 1930s as the home for several bordellos linked to mobster Al Capone's empire....
.