Origins & Early Life

Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria (Italian: [dʒuˈzɛppe masseˈriːa]; January 17, 1886 – April 15, 1931) was an Italian-American Mafia boss in New York City. He was boss of what is now called the Genovese crime family, one of the New York City Mafia's Five Families, from 1922 to 1931. In 1930, he battled in the Castellammarese War to take over the criminal activities in New York City. The war ended with his murder on April 15, 1931, in a hit ordered by his own lieutenant, Charles "Lucky" Luciano, in an agreement with rival faction head Salvatore Maranzano.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Giuseppe Masseria was born on January 17, 1886, in Menfi, Province of Agrigento, Sicily, in a family of tailors. When he was young, he moved to the town of Marsala, in the Province of Trapani. Masseria arrived in the United States in 1902. He then became part of the Morello crime family based in Harlem and parts of Little Italy in southern Manhattan. Masseria was a contemporary of other captains of that mafia family such as Gaetano Reina.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1909, Masseria was convicted of burglary and received a suspended sentence. On May 23, 1913, Masseria was sentenced to four to six years in prison for third-degree burglary. As...

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• 1886 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1886
• January 17 (01-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 17
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• April 15 (04-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 15