WARNING: EXPLICIT MATERIAL

Joseph Porrello

AKA:

Joe

Birth Name:

Giuseppe Porrello

Birth Date:

July 15, 1888

Birth Place:

Licata, Sicily, Italy

Death Date:

July 5, 1930

Place of Death:

Frankie Milano's Venetian Cafe, Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio

Age:

Cause of Death:

Mob hit - gunshot wounds

Cemetery Name:

Calvary Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Crime and their Victims

Associates:

Giuseppe “Joseph” Porrello was an influential organized crime boss in Cleveland, Ohio, during the Prohibition era. Born in Licata, Sicily, he immigrated to the United States with his family and eventually settled in Cleveland, where he became involved in criminal activities alongside his brothers and other Sicilian-American associates. Initially, Porrello worked as a lieutenant under Joseph “Big Joe” Lonardo, who controlled Cleveland’s bootlegging operations. During Prohibition, Porrello became heavily involved in the illegal liquor trade, particularly the production and distribution of corn sugar, an essential ingredient used by bootleggers to manufacture alcohol. In 1926, Porrello and his brothers broke away from Lonardo’s organization, sparking a violent rivalry over control of Cleveland’s lucrative bootlegging industry. On October 13, 1927, Lonardo and his brother John were assassinated in a barber shop owned by the Porrello family, an event that cleared the way for Porrello to assume control of Cleveland's criminal underworld. As the new boss, he expanded his influence over bootlegging and other rackets while seeking recognition from powerful Mafia leaders throughout the country. In December 1928, he hosted a major Mafia gathering at Cleveland’s Statler Hotel, where numerous prominent organized crime figures were arrested by local police. Despite the incident, Porrello gained national recognition as the head of Cleveland’s Mafia organization. However, his growing power attracted opposition from rival gangsters, particularly Frank Milano and the Mayfield Road Gang. The conflict intensified after the 1929 murder of Porrello’s close associate and lieutenant, Salvatore “Black Sam” Todaro. On July 5, 1930, Porrello was lured to a meeting at the Venetian Restaurant, owned by his rival Frank Milano, where he was ambushed and murdered alongside his associate Sam Tilocco. His death marked the beginning of the collapse of the Porrello organization, as his brother Vincenzo briefly succeeded him before being killed weeks later. The violent struggle ultimately weakened the Porrello family and allowed Frank Milano’s Mayfield Road organization to establish dominance over Cleveland’s criminal underworld.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Calvary Cemetery

10000 Miles Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio, 44105

USA

North America

Map:

Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio

Grave Location:

Section 21, Lot 214, Grave 8

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery stay to the right and drive towards the back to the maintenance area. Look for the tunnel to the other section of the cemetery. Drive through the short tunnel and take an immediate left. Drive to the intersection of sections 21 and 23. Park and look for the large Tilocco monument with the black Porrello headstone directly to the right.

Grave Location GPS

41.439851, -81.609263

Photos:

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FAQ's

Joseph Porrello was born on July 15, 1888.

Joseph Porrello was born in Licata, Sicily, Italy.

Joseph Porrello died on July 5, 1930.

Joseph Porrello died in Frankie Milano's Venetian Cafe, Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio.

Joseph Porrello was 41.

The cause of death was Mob hit - gunshot wounds.

Joseph Porrello's grave is in Calvary Cemetery

Videos Featuring Joseph Porrello:

Former Police Chief Rick Porrello On His Family Being In The Mafia | Joe Porrello |

True crime writer Rick Porrello discusses 'There's More Bodies Out There'

Cleveland Stories: Rick Porrello

Sugar Wars - The Rise of the Cleveland Mafia

The Mafia's Presence in Cleveland | Sitdown with Michael Franzese

Mob History in the Land: Author Don Billie Dives Into the 1928 Statler Hotel Mafia Bust

Joseph Porrello