 |
| mafia.wikia.com |
Joseph P. Caminiti (born 1926- died January 30, 2014) also known as "Joe Camel", was the last known reputed boss of the Milwaukee crime family. He was heavily involved in labor unions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Caminiti was married to Mary Alioto, daughter of former Milwaukee family boss John Alioto, with whom he had three children. He came to prominence when he was installed as Frank Balistrieri's Consigliere, a position he allegedly held from 1961 when Balistrieri became boss until the 1990s. In 1993, Frank Balistrieri died and his brother Peter Frank Balistrieri, succeeded him as boss.
When Pete Balistrieri died of natural causes in 1997, longtime family Consigliere Joe Caminiti became the new boss of the Milwaukee crime family and had Joseph Balistrieri, Frank's son, installed as his underboss and made Angelo Alioto, the son of John Alioto his Consigliere (Angelo died on February 3, 2011 of complications of pneumonia at age 87). Caminiti was a former secretary-treasurer of local 257 of the International Brotherhood of Teamster's truck drivers and allied industries Union which was a very influential union in Milwaukee's garbage removal and gasoline transportation and a former secretary treasurer of local 982 of the service station attendants, bulk plant and garage employees union. Under Caminiti's leadership the family was reportedly composed of no more than twenty members and 15-20 associates operating primarily in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. Law enforcement claimed that Caminiti shared much of the power with Frank Balistrieri's son Joseph who died in 2010. In the 2000s, Law enforcement also believed that the Milwaukee LCN Family nearly extinct, with less than 15 "made" members and the most lucrative rackets controlled by the Chicago Outfit.
Caminiti died on January 30, 2014 at the age of 87.
http://mafia.wikia.com/wiki/Joseph_Caminiti
Another point of view follows from a contributor who wishes to remain anonymous:
Somehow the modern Milwaukee Family has some very dubious information floating around the Internet. There are "member lists" that keep getting recycled and include people who are very dead, and some who are just made up. (The name Rico "the Killer" Bono is a common one, and he never existed.)
The story of Joe Camel is another stretch, with people mixing up father and son.
Joseph Caminiti (1904-1995) is the guy with the labor connections. He is the one who was the consigliere. Before coming to Milwaukee, he grew up in Chicago alongside Carlo Caputo and Joe Aiello.
Joseph Caminiti (1926-2014) is his son. This Joe DID marry Mary Alioto, the daughter of John Alioto. But there is little evidence he had any real role in the mob. He was not involved in labor like his father, but sold life insurance.
Both men lived in Menominee Falls.
Joseph Caminiti's Obituary from Legacy.com
Caminiti, Joseph P. Found Eternal Peace January 30, 2014, at the age of 87. Loving and devoted husband of Mary (nee Alioto) for 64 years. Loving and caring father of Madelynn (Daniel) Woodward and Catherine (Franklin "Rocky") LaDien. Proud and loving nano of Kathryn Woodward (Marco) Nasca, the late Mary Elizabeth Woodward, Daniel Woodward, Joseph and John LaDien. Cherished great-nano of Matthew and John Nasca. Beloved brother of Rosalie (Mike) Enea and the late Bernadine (the late Dominic) Cifaldi. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many good friends. Visitation Monday, February 3 at the HARDER FUNERAL HOME from 3:30 PM to 6:45 PM with a Prayer Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 4 at OLD ST. MARY'S PARISH, 844 N. Broadway St., Milwaukee at 10:00 AM. Procession to Holy Cross Cemetery for the committal prayers, military honors and entombment to follow. Joe was a proud member of M.S.S. Addolarata Society, Society of San Giuseppe, Pompeii Men's Club, the Italian Community Center and past president of Wisconsin Association of Life Underwriters. The Caminiti family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to caregivers, Lori Heppe, Shawenee Willis, Karen Sieben, the staff of Franciscan Woods and Elmbrook Hospital and the family friends who graciously loved and supported Joe and our family. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jsonline/obituary.aspx?pid=169442104#sthash.Im8zaBMX.dpuf
Somehow the modern Milwaukee Family has some very dubious information floating around the Internet. There are "member lists" that keep getting recycled and include people who are very dead, and some who are just made up. (The name Rico "the Killer" Bono is a common one, and he never existed.)
ReplyDeleteThe story of Joe Camel is another stretch, with people mixing up father and son.
Joseph Caminiti (1904-1995) is the guy with the labor connections. He is the one who was the consigliere. Before coming to Milwaukee, he grew up in Chicago alongside Carlo Caputo and Joe Aiello.
Joseph Caminiti (1926-2014) is his son. This Joe DID marry Mary Alioto, the daughter of John Alioto. But there is little evidence he had any real role in the mob. He was not involved in labor like his father, but sold life insurance.
Both men lived in Menominee Falls.
Thank you very much for the information. It sounds very plausible. There is so little know about the post Frank Balistrieri years that is verifiable. I will be glad to update my post and include your points in it. Thanks for your contribution, you sound very knowledgeable about the subject and would welcome your input anytime. My email address is in my sidebar.
DeleteI’m here to tell you that my great uncle was in fact the boss of the Milwaukee outfit. And not to be messed with.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. Would you care to elaborate?
Delete