Paul Vario

AKA:

Paulie

Birth Name:

Paul Vario

Birth Date:

July 10, 1914

Birth Place:

New York City, New York

Death Date:

May 3, 1988

Place of Death:

Fort Worth Federal Prison, Fort Worth, Texas

Age:

Cause of Death:

Lung cancer

Cemetery Name:

St. John Cemetery

Claim to Fame:

Crime and their Victims

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.

The Rest of the Story

In 1978, Vario approved his crew’s participation in the infamous Lufthansa heist at JFK airport. The idea was presented to Vario by phone while he was in Florida. Vario quickly gave his approval, but insisted that Jimmy Burke, then in prison, supervise it. In December 1978, the crew successfully looted an estimated $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewelry (equivalent to $29 million in 2025).

The Lufthansa heist was the major storyline in the movie Goodfellas where actor Paul Sorvino depicted Vario’s character as sort of a benevolent uncle. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality Paul Vario was an ill-tempered, chain smoking, violent sadist who was convicted rape and assault and also had really bad hygiene.

While no evidence suggests Paul Vario personally carried out a murder, he was responsible for ordering or arranging the deaths of others during his time as a Lucchese crime family captain. The most notable instance of Vario arranging a murder is the killing of his own associate, Tommy DeSimone (the real-life “Tommy DeVito” from the movie Goodfellas). Vario revealed DeSimone’s various wrongdoings to the Gambino crime family, leading to DeSimone’s death. DeSimone had made powerful enemies by killing a “made man,” Billy Batts.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

St. John Cemetery

80-01 Metropolitan Avenue

Middle Village, New York, 11379

USA

North America

Map:

St. John Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, New York

Grave Location:

Vario Family Plot, Section 39, Row E, Grave 176

Grave Location Description

The cemetery is divided into two sections divided my Metropolitan Avenue. Near the intersection of Metropolitan Avenue and 80th Street, turn into the cemetery OPPOSITE the entrance to the main gates and cemetery office. Stay to the left and then take the 2nd hard left with Section 39 on your right. Drive 100 feet to the large private mausoleum and look to the 4th row for the upright marble monument indicating the grave of mobster Paul Vario and family.

Grave Location GPS

40.71228482684542, -73.86993905085636

Visiting The Grave:

Photos:

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FAQ's

Paul Vario was born on July 10, 1914.

Paul Vario was born in New York City, New York.

Paul Vario died on May 3, 1988.

Paul Vario died in Fort Worth Federal Prison, Fort Worth, Texas.

Paul Vario was 73.

The cause of death was Lung cancer.

Paul Vario's grave is in St. John Cemetery

Videos Featuring Paul Vario:

Goodfellas: The REAL Paulie Cicero/Paul Vario

Mobster - Paul Vario

The Violent Ways of Goodfellas Mobster Paul Vario

History of Paul Vario Goodfellas crew

Mafia Justice: The True Story of the Lufthansa Heist

Lucchese Crime Family Documentary

Watch YouTube video titled Mob Movie Monday- Goodfellas with Michael Franzese

Paul Vario