Elena Semander

popular name: Paul Vario

date_of_death: May 3, 1988

age: 73

cause_of_death: Lung cancer

claim_to_fame: Crime and their Victims

best_know_for: Paul Vario was a prominent New York mobster and high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family. Born on July 10, 1914, in Brooklyn, he became involved in organized crime at a young age, eventually rising to become a caporegime (captain) in the family. Vario controlled a crew based in Brooklyn that was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including extortion, loan sharking, illegal gambling, and hijacking. Vario was also involved in legitimate businesses that included a flower shop, a bar, a restaurant, and a taxi stand. One of his businesses, Vario's Bargain Auto Parts Inc., located at 5702 Avenue D, is where Vario conducted illegal business with his associates. At his height, Vario was earning an estimated $25,000 a day from his illegal activities. He gained notoriety through his association with Henry Hill, whose life was chronicled in the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi and later dramatized in the film Goodfellas, where Vario was portrayed by actor Paul Sorvino. Despite his power and influence, Vario was ultimately brought down by law enforcement, thanks in part to Hill's cooperation with authorities. He was convicted on multiple charges in the 1980s, including extortion and fraud. Paul Vario died of respiratory failure in prison on May 3, 1988, at the age of 73. Paul Vario was laid to rest in the Vario Family plot at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village, New York.

popular name: Rudy Marfeo

date_of_death: April 20, 1968

age: 42

cause_of_death: Gunshot wounds from mob hit

claim_to_fame: Crime and their Victims

best_know_for: In 1968 local bookmaker Rudolph “Rudy” Marfeo had recently defied New England mob boss Raymond Patriarca by refusing to pay his "tribute money" and publicly disrespecting Ray Patriarca. This was not wise considering Patriarca had Rudy’s brother Willie whacked in a Federal Hill restaurant just two years earlier for doing the exact same thing. Patriarca wanted Marfeo, “straightened out,” as soon as possible and ordered the hit on Rudy. On April 20, 1968 Rudy and his bodyguard Anthony Melei were observed shopping at Pannone’s Market on 282 Pocasset Avenue in Providence. Rudolph Marfeo, the bookie, fell near the front door, a drawn .38 in his hand, his left side blown apart. Anthony Melei, the bodyguard, died next to the ice cream freezer, his face shot away by Double OO buckshot. The shopkeeper and his wife dived behind the deli counter as the killers retreated. What makes these murders so important in the history of the New England Cosa Nostra is that subsequent charges and guilty verdicts against Ray Patriarca and his associates signaled the downward spiral of the Patriarca crime family and to their New England operations.

popular name: Dan Broderick

date_of_death: November 5, 1989

age: 44

cause_of_death: Murdered - gunshot wounds

claim_to_fame: Crime and their Victims

best_know_for: In 1965 Betty met her future husband, Dan Broderick at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. After bearing him four children, working a variety of jobs and keeping the household running, Dan was able to graduate with both a law degree from Cornell University and a medial degree from Harvard University. After working at a couple of law firms, Dan struck out on his own in San Diego, California. In short order Dan was pulling in up to $300,000 a month and was, for the most part the most powerful attorney within the legal community in San Diego at that time. He was president of the San Diego bar association and he won every case he fought and cultivated deep friendships with most of judges and court personnel. In short order he hired a 21-year-old failed flight attendant (she was fired from Delta Airlines for "conduct unbecoming") as his personal assistant (even though she didn't know how to type). Within weeks the married attorney with four children began a torrid affair with the future trophy wife Linda Kolkena. After a vicious legal battle lasting five years, Betty was only awarded roughly $28,000 lump sum, $16,000 a month in alimony (less than 5% of Dan's gross income) and she lost custody of all her children. Three months later, Dan married Linda and seven months they were both murdered in their bed by Betty Broderick.