Harry D’Angelo

Harry D’Angelo, also known as Ignazio D’Angelo or Harry DeAngelo, was born on August 4, 1908 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Filippo D’Angelo and Maria Lazzaro. (As noted in his FBI file, Harry’s driver’s license had his birth date as August 4, 1906, but 1908 was verified by the FBI, and is the year used by the US Social Security Death Index.) His parents were born in Palermo, Sicily, and his maternal grandmother’s maiden name was Balistreri. Additionally, Harry’s sister, Vincenza “Jennie”, married an Alioto.

Harry died on February 11, 1991 at the Mequon Care Center in Mequon, WI.

FBI File – Criminal History

As written in his FBI file, Harry has a lengthy criminal history. These are the entries from his FBI file where the charge is not “dismissed” or “released”.

1961

An informant told the FBI on September 24, 1961 that Milwaukee had three cliques, because many were not happy with Frank Balistrieri’s leadership.

One clique had Balistrieri, Buster Balestrere, Steve DiSalvo and John Rizzo.

Another had Mike Albano, Joe Gagliano, Walter Brocca, August Maniaci and Harry D’Angelo.

The third was Frank LaGalbo and unknown others. LaGalbo had recently been forced out of the Milwaukee Family and was now under the protection of the Chicago Heights crew.

1964

A “peace meeting” was held at Gallagher’s on January 6, 1964 between the Balistrieri and Maniaci factions of the Mafia. Frank Balistrieri told the group that he hoped this meeting would lead to a more organized and cohesive group, and said he expected Joseph Gurera and Buster Balestrere to return from Kansas City.

Present for the meeting were: Tom Machi, Tony Machi, Angelo DiGiorgio, August Maniaci, Mike Albano, Harry D’Angelo, Benny DiSalvo, Vince Mercurio, John Aiello, Sam Cefalu, Steve DiSalvo, Frank Stelloh, Frank Balistrieri, Peter Balistrieri and Joseph Balistrieri.

The funeral for Rockford mobster George Saladino was held on June 10, 1964. Attending from Milwaukee were Peter Balistrieri, Harry D’Angelo, August Maniaci, Steve DiSalvo and Michael Albano.

Special Agent Richard C. Thompson spoke with [redacted] on December 24, 1964 about a possible “shakedown” attempt from Frank Alioto. The man clarified that there was no shakedown, but simply that Harry DeAngelo and Benny DeSalvo approached him and asked why he had “stolen” the produce account at Fox and Hounds Restaurant from Alioto.

That same day, Frank DiMiceli (owner of the Rafters Motel) was shown a photograph of Felix Alderisio by the FBI and denied that Alderisio had been a guest at the motel.

The funeral of LCN member Vito Balestrere was on December 28, 1964 at the Guardalabene and Amato funeral home at 2001 North Holton Street.

Among others present were John Rizzo, Angelo DiGiorgio, Joseph Piscuine, Cono Librizzi, John Picciurro, William Covelli, Walter Brocca, Louis Fazio, Carlo and Jerome DiMaggio, Dominic Gullo, August Maniaci, John Aiello, Frank, Joseph and Peter Balistrieri, John Alioto, Harry DeAngelo, Joseph Caminiti, Michele Mineo, Santo Marino, Charles Zarcone, Joseph Spero, Sam Ferrara, Steve DiSalvo, Michael and Tony Albano, Jimmy and Buster Balestrere, John Molle (Vito’s brother-in-law), John Battista Blando, and Salvatore “Ted” and Vito Seidita.

Nick Fucarino’s car, a 1960 Studebaker station wagon with license plate Q51-411 was observed parked nearby.

Notably absent was John Pernice.

Joseph Gurera was absent, allegedly because he was sick.

Frank Balistrieri sat by Joseph Caminiti and was said to be “cold and aloof” towards everyone else.

Sam Ferrara commented to an informant that the leadership needed to be replaced in Milwaukee, but it would cost too much. He referred to Balistrieri derisively as “camorista”.

Tony Albano told the same informant that he had recently been contacted by the FBI and he found that very strange, not having been approached by law enforcement in 30 years.

1965

Frank Balistrieri threw a Christmas party at Fazio’s restaurant on Jackson on December 24, 1965. Attendees included Joseph Spero, Steve DiSalvo, Michael Albano, Jerry DiMaggio, Peter Balistrieri and Harry DeAngelo.

1966

Milwaukee LCN member Michael Albano died September 21, 1966 of heart failure.

His funeral was on September 24, and was attended by virtually all the Milwaukee members. Only one Rockford member, Phil Priola, was there. No one from Chicago was present, aside from relatives of Albano’s with no mob connections.

Albano’s death created a bit of a rupture in the Milwaukee LCN, as he was considered to be close to Harry DeAngelo, Benny DiSalvo and Joseph Spero. Of the four, it was Albano who had Frank Balistrieri’s “ear”, leaving the other three now without a strong connection.

1968

Frank Balistrieri held a party at his nightclub, The Scene, on March 20, 1968. Between 100 and 150 people were there, including almost all of the Milwaukee LCN. Two people were noticeably absent: Santo Marino and Al Albana.

The party was a fundraiser for mob attorney Dominic Frinzi, who was running for Milwaukee County Judge.

At this party, Balistrieri told a top echelon informant (likely Maniaci) that he wanted to “let bygones be bygones” and would be putting old-timers Sam Ferrara, Vito Aiello and Santo Marino under the leadership of Steve DiSalvo. Ferrara especially resented this decision, believing that DiSalvo did not show him (as a former boss) enough respect. Other old-timers such as Michele Mineo were put under John Alioto. Harry DeAngelo, Benny DiSalvo and an informant were put under Peter Balistrieri.

Louis Fazio was collecting donations, looking for $100 per person if possible.

Frank Balistrieri paid for the wine and dinner, with other drinks available for purchase. No speeches were made.

Vito Seidita, the consiglieri, told the informant (probably August Maniaci) that he would be under Peter Balistrieri now and would no longer be marginalized in Milwaukee. Seidita mentioned that there was at least one member of the Milwaukee Family they knew they could not trust, but he did not say who it was.

Non-members present included Frank Ranney, Harold Klein and Dr. Joe Regan. Vito Guardalabene and Phil Valley were also present.

Over a month later, on April 25, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported about this party, calling it a “Little Appalachin.”

On the evening of March 23, 1968, a dinner party was held at Rudy’s Pizzeria (corner of North and Oakland). Attending the party were Frank Balistrieri, Peter Balistrieri, Steve DiSalvo, Walter Brocca, Harry D’Angelo, Vincent Maniaci, August Maniaci, Joseph Enea and Paul Bogosian. (Somewhere around this time, Bogosian broke his leg.)

By June 20, 1968, Walter Brocca and Harry DeAngelo were running a high-stakes poker game at 840 North 24th Street, Apartment 115 on the weekends. A percentage of the money was given to Frank Balistrieri.

Vincenza “Jennie” Alioto (sister to Harry DeAngelo) died on August 12, 1968.

1969

By January 10, 1969, Harry DeAngelo and Joseph Balistrieri (Peter’s son) were running a poker game at 1855 East Cambridge Avenue. It would continue for at least two months.

Frank Balistrieri threw a Christmas party on December 21, 1969 at the Kings IV Tavern (722 North Water Street).

Approximately 150-200 guests were there, including Walter Brocca, Harry DeAngelo, Albert Albana, Frank Buccieri, Dominic Frinzi, Frank Stelloh, Steve DiSalvo, Benny DiSalvo, Jerry DiMaggio, John Rizzo, William Covelli, Dominic Gullo, Joseph Enea and the majority of the Milwaukee LCN.

An informant told the FBI that Frank Balistrieri was telling people at this party that he would step down as boss of the Milwaukee Family because of his business (tax) problems.

He also heard at this party that Jerry DiMaggio had been laid off from the Schlitz Brewery and tried to go work for Vincent Maniaci, but Maniaci told him to see Frank Balistrieri first. DiMaggio was then hired on as a bartender at the Downtowner.

1970

A party was held at the Kings IV on the evening of March 15, 1970.

Police wrote down the license plates and found the following attendees: Frank Balistrieri, Peter Balistrieri, someone from Lando Enterprises (4702 West Vliet), Carl J. Dentice (8210 West New Jersey), someone from Glenbrook Corporation (6925 North Port Washington Road), Vincent Maniaci, Harry D’Angelo, someone from Schaub Buick (237 South Street in Waukesha), someone from Rank and Son Buick (4200 North Green Bay Avenue) Frank C. LaVora (3120 South 51st Street), Salvatore Dentice (1611 North Jackson), Sam J. Cefalu, Salvatore A. Librizzi, Joseph Caminiti and Albert Albana.

Casey Maniaci died on August 18, and his funeral was on August 20, 1970. Harry DeAngelo, Frank Balistrieri, Steve DeSalvo, John Pernice, Vito Aiello and “virtually the entire Milwaukee LCN family” were present.

1971

Giuseppe Balistrieri (Frank and Peter’s father) died of a heart attack at Mount Sinai Hospital on Wednesday, March 3, 1971. He was 76 years old.

Attendees at the funeral and/or wake (held at Guardalabene and Amato on March 4-5) included Salvatore Seidita, Nick Collura, Frank LaGalbo, Nick Fucarino, Harry DeAngelo, Sam Ferrara, August Maniaci, John Rizzo, Albert Albana, John Pernice, Joseph Gumina, Joseph Caminiti, Buster Balestrere, Vito Aiello, Salvatore J. Cefalu, James Schiavo and Santo Marino.

Anthony Spilotro of Chicago also attended.

John Alioto was nowhere to be found. Sources say he was confined to his home due to poor health.

Around the time of the funeral, Knobby Gulotta spoke with James Schiavo about securing an attorney for Charlie Vince. Schiavo told him to contact the Milwaukee Family.

1973

Around April 23, 1973, the FBI interviewed a man in Saukville about Harry DeAngelo. The man said that DeAngelo claimed to work in construction, always drove new Cadillacs and never paid for things in anything but cash. The man said when he was younger, DeAngelo would tell him and his friends to stay out of certain night clubs in Milwaukee because they were run by hoodlums. The man then went out of his way to visit these places and found that they were, in fact, full of shady characters. The man acknowledged that he had heard rumors that DeAngelo was in the Mafia, but never had any evidence to support that.

Carmelo Curro’s funeral was held just before May 2, 1973. Among other attendees was Harry DeAngelo.

The FBI was advised on May 12, 1973 that Harry DeAngelo was the money behind a “shady retail tire business” operating out of Green Bay.

The FBI contacted a representative of the General Jobbing Corporation at his office on November 9, 1973. He apologized for not being available sooner, as he had been on a buying trip in New York and Chicago. The man denied knowing Harry DeAngelo or relatives of [redacted], who was suspected of criminal activity. He did say he had heard the redacted man’s father had been deported from Milwaukee.

The FBI stopped by the residence of Harry DeAngelo (2505 Highway O in Saukville) on December 4, 1973 and briefly spoke with his wife, who told them that Harry was in Milwaukee.

1974

The FBI observed Harry DeAngelo’s car (a 1973 white over gold Cadillac with license J50-584) at the Lake Pavillion, 2800 North Lake Drive, on May 21, 1974.

Harry DeAngelo was observed at the Lake Pavillion playing cards with three old Italian men on October 10 and 15, 1974.

1975

The FBI contacted Harry DeAngelo at the Lake Pavillion on February 4, 1975. DeAngelo said he was not associated with the criminal element and knew the Italians on a social basis. He did not wish to speak with the agents further.

1976

A party for Phil Valley was held at the Centre Stage Dinner Playhouse on the evening of April 25, 1976, beginning at 6:30pm. This was to commemorate Valley’s retirement from the Bartenders Union and also his 80th birthday.

Over 500 people were expected to attend, including mobsters from Canada, Chicago, St. Louis, Brooklyn, Kansas City and San Francisco. How many hoods actually attended is unknown, though union officials from throughout the country — including the head of the Bartenders Union from Washington, DC — were present. A Chicago union man named “Paulsen” was there. Joseph P. Caminiti, Frank Balistrieri, August Palmisano, Frank Buccieri, Peter Balistrieri and Benny DiSalvo were seen. So were Jimmy Jennaro, Harry DeAngelo, Sam Librizzi, Eddie Maniaci, Walter Brocca, Angelo DiGeorgio, Andy Machi, Tom Guernieri, Russel Enea, “Camels” Lavora, Carl Dentice, John Piscuine, Arty Maniaci, Tom DeStefano, Tony “Petrolle” Machi, Tommy Ferrara, Tony Fazio, Angelo Fazio and Joe Sardino.

Steve DiSalvo and his son Rick greeted people as they arrived, and Joseph Balistrieri served as master of ceremonies for the event.

Sally Papia and her staff catered the event, with a rumor going around that she was planning to purchase Frenchy’s.

One of the owners of Towne Realty [redacted, maybe Joseph Zilber?] had a large table of guests.

The union men from out of town stayed at the Milwaukee Inn.

1986

Special agents surveilled the residence of Benny DiSalvo (3321 North Humboldt) on December 22 and 23, 1986. They were trying to find out more about DiSalvo and Harry D’Angelo’s takeover of Anton Jennaro, Inc. produce and investigating rumors that Frank Balistrieri was still getting “a piece of the action” from extortion. All they saw were Benny and his wife (described as “elderly”) in a light color Lincoln Mercury. He was followed on December 24 and seen going to the Brady Street Pharmacy.

1987

On February 2, 1987, a special agent visited Benny DiSalvo in the hopes of turning him into a “137” (informant). DiSalvo said he knew Frank Balistrieri, Steve DeSalvo and Harry D’Angelo, as he grew up with them. He denied knowing anything about any criminal activity. He said he was retired and simply lived with his wife and daughter.