Salvatore Catalanotte
Encyclopedia
Salvatore "Sam Sings in the Night" Catalanotte (February 15, 1894 – February 14, 1930) was an Italian-American mobster and boss of Detroit's Unione Siciliana from 1920 to 1930. "Sings in the night" is a translation of his last name.
, Sicily
on February 15, 1894. He immigrated to Detroit, Michigan, in 1905 where he worked for the bootlegging Giannola brothers during the Vitale-Giannola War. Catalanotte survived several attempts on his life and emerged the "king of Little Sicily in Detroit". He lobbied for an uneasy alliance between the Eastside and Westside Mobs, which was renamed the Pascuzzi Combine. Catalanotte's unified crime syndicate demonstrated its influence by corrupting city and state officials while simultaneously ensuring protection for its racketeering operations. The Pascuzzi Combine is considered the precursor to the Detroit Partnership
of La Cosa Nostra.
.
Criminal career
Salvatore Catalanotte was born in TrapaniTrapani
Trapani is a city and comune on the west coast of Sicily in Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. Founded by Elymians, the city is still an important fishing port and the main gateway to the nearby Egadi Islands.-History:...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
on February 15, 1894. He immigrated to Detroit, Michigan, in 1905 where he worked for the bootlegging Giannola brothers during the Vitale-Giannola War. Catalanotte survived several attempts on his life and emerged the "king of Little Sicily in Detroit". He lobbied for an uneasy alliance between the Eastside and Westside Mobs, which was renamed the Pascuzzi Combine. Catalanotte's unified crime syndicate demonstrated its influence by corrupting city and state officials while simultaneously ensuring protection for its racketeering operations. The Pascuzzi Combine is considered the precursor to the Detroit Partnership
Detroit Partnership
The Detroit Partnership, also known as the Detroit crime family, Detroit Combination, Detroit Mafia, Detroit Outfit or Zerilli crime family is an American Mafia crime family based in Detroit, Michigan...
of La Cosa Nostra.
Death
Catalanotte's reign came to an end after he died from pneumonia on February 14, 1930. As a sign of respect, every prominent member of Detroit's criminal underworld paid their respects at the Church of the Most Holy Family in Detroit. This was followed by a 1,200 car procession to his grave at Mt. Olivet CemeteryMount Olivet Cemetery (Detroit)
Mt. Olivet Cemetery is a cemetery at 17100 Van Dyke Avenue in the city of Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan. It opened in 1888 and is owned and operated by the Mount Elliott Cemetery Association, a not-for-profit Catholic organization. At , it is the largest cemetery in Detroit.Notable people...
.
See also
- Jack ToccoJack ToccoGiacomo “Jack” Tocco is an Italian-American mobster from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and alleged boss of the national organized crime organization known as The Detroit Partnership, based in Detroit, Michigan.-Early life:...
- Gaspar MilazzoGaspar MilazzoGaspar Milazo was a major organized-crime figure in Detroit, Michigan, during the Prohibition era. He is also credited with helping establish one of the early Brooklyn-based crime families in New York City, the Castellammarese Clan, better known today as the Bonanno crime family.-Early life:Born...
- Gaetano GianollaGaetano GianollaGaetano Gianolla was an Italian-American mobster and former boss of the Detroit Partnership criminal organization.During the Prohibition era, the Detroit River was the most important commercial waterway for the illegal importation of intoxicants from Canada into Detroit, Michigan...
- William ToccoWilliam ToccoWilliam "Black Bill" Tocco was an Italian-American mobster from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan and a founding member of the Detroit Partnership of La Cosa Nostra.-Early years:...
- Joseph ZerilliJoseph ZerilliJoseph Zerilli was a Prohibition-era Detroit gangster who led the crime family known as the Detroit Partnership from the 1930s through the 1970s.-Early life:...