Joe Gallo, also known as “Crazy Joe”, was one of the most infamous mobsters of the 20th century. A member of the Profaci crime family, he later became the boss of his own gang, the Gallo crew. Born on April 7, 1929, in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Gallo was one of six siblings. His family was poor, and his father abandoned them when Gallo was a child. This led him to turn to a life of crime in his teenage years, and by the mid-1950s, he was heavily involved in organized crime.
Gallo was known for his violent and unpredictable nature, earning him the nickname “Crazy Joe”. He was involved in various crimes, including extortion, loan-sharking, and arson. However, his most significant feud was with the Profaci family, which eventually led to the infamous shooting at Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy, Manhattan.
On April 7, 1972, Gallo celebrated his 43rd birthday at Umberto’s Clam House, a restaurant in Little Italy. Gallo and his associates were reportedly there to celebrate his release from prison, but they were also reportedly planning to take over the Profaci family. As they were eating, a group of men burst into the restaurant and started shooting, killing Gallo and several members of his crew.
The shooting sparked one of the bloodiest mafia wars in history, with over 60 mobsters killed over the following years. The identity of the gunmen has never been confirmed, but it is believed that they were members of the Profaci family. Some theories suggest that they were acting on orders from the mob boss, Joseph Colombo, who was at war with Gallo at the time.
Despite his notoriety, Gallo had a somewhat sympathetic public persona. He was vocal about his poor upbringing and his distrust of authority figures, and he often spoke out against injustice. He even published a book of poetry, “Joe Gallo: The Pugilist at Rest,” which was well-received by critics.
Over the years, numerous books and films have been made about Gallo’s life and death. He has been portrayed in movies like “Crazy Joe” (1974) and “The Irishman” (2019), and in TV shows such as “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Sopranos.”
In conclusion, Joe Gallo was a notorious crime boss and one of the most feared mobsters of his time. Despite his violent reputation, he also had a more sympathetic public persona, and his story continues to fascinate people to this day. His death at Umberto’s Clam House remains one of the most infamous mafia killings in history, and the identity of the gunmen has never been confirmed.