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Bufalino was born Oct. 3, 1903, in Sicily and grew up i. [12] Bufalino worked alongside many Buffalo mobsters, some of whom would become top leaders in the Buffalo crime family and other future Cosa Nostra families along the East Coast of the United States. In 1978, he was convicted of extortion and sentenced to four years. Bufalino later moved to Kingston, Pennsylvania in 1940. Mob boss Russell Bufalino, who's played by Joe Pesci in the film, famously avoided the spotlight, and Getty Images' archive of press photography contains only three photos of him. He will play a significant supporting role in Martin Scorsese's gangster movie The Irishman. [4] He is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Michigan. During those times, it made sense for crime families to marry each other to tighten their union so that it was hard for outside forces to infiltrate. Guccia later said he was returning to the Barbara home to check on a fish order. As a former police chief from the area recalled, He was old-school. Rosario Alberto Bufalino (born October 29, 1903) was an Italian-born American mobster who became the crime boss of the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family known as the Bufalino crime family, which he ruled from 1959 to 1989. . Bufalino, Sheeran says, decided that Jimmy Hoffa had to go and asked him, a friend, to carry out the hit because Hoffa would be unsuspecting. His notoriety went beyond the Eastern Seaboard; nationally, he was one He took over the organization when Barbera died in 1959. It was a job interview over the telephone. He explains to him that there are only three such rings in existence, with the third one belonging to Angelo Bruno whose character was played by Harvey Keitel. It quoted an earlier 1980 report that stated that the Russell Bufalino Family was described as operating in northeastern Pennsylvania, New York State and New York City and may be the most powerful Cosa Nostra Family in the Commonwealththe power which is held by Bufalino and his Family should not be underestimated. By 1989, the power of the Family had weakened substantially already, though, because Russell was aging and hesitant to swing open the doors to new blood. Teamsters Union president Jimmy Hoffa, investigators said. The rings are a symbol of trust for the three crime bosses. According toThe Patriot-News, Bufalino did indeed suffer a stroke while serving that last bit of prison time, as Scorsese's film portrays. Crime bosses in New York City, Buffalo, N.Y., and New Jersey based on information from your browser. He took control of the garment industry as well as gambling and loan sharking operations in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Three years later, Bufalino. Hannah McKennett is a Dublin-based freelance writer that is dedicated to traveling the world while writing about it. This browser does not support getting your location. Russell Bufalino found in 3 trees View all. You wouldnt know he had two dimes to rub together from looking at his house or the car he drove.. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. A 1960 article in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader described Russell Bufalino as a Pittston drapery manufacturer who is facing deportation to Italy. It said that Bufalino was then serving a five-year sentence for a conviction in a conspiracy of silence case that grew out of a 1957 crime convention in New York. When Bufalino ordered Sheeran to make a hit on the notorious gangster Crazy Joe Gallo at the Umberto Clam House, Sheeran recalled, I didnt know who Russ had in mind, but he needed a favor and that was that. After that, the nature of Russell Bufalino and Frank Sheeran's relationship changed. [13] He served almost three years. right, and Thomas Lucchese testify before the Seante Rackets. 1960)", "Mafia Raid Confirms 20-year Undercover Findings by T-Men", "20 Apalachin Convictions Ruled Invalid On Appeal", "Man Convicted of a Conspiracy to Kill Witness", "Bufalino film to premiere at New York Film Festival", "Joe Pesci earns his third Oscar nomination with quiet menace for 'The Irishman', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Russell_Bufalino&oldid=1141474055, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 06:51. [33], A somewhat modified version of Bufalino is portrayed by Joe Pesci in Martin Scorsese's 2019 film The Irishman. Russell and his wife resided in New York during the beginning of their marriage. Hoffa was in Detroit, Frank was in Philly. His mother and father. Heres what you need to know about the Bufalino Crime Family: As late as 2010, the Morning Call was reporting on the crime family. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. [24] Many Mafiosi escaped through the woods surrounding the Barbara estate. He remained head of his crime family until his death at a Scranton nursing home in 1994. Made of three-dollar liberty coins from the 1880s, Russell Bufalino tells Sheeran in the movie that only three exist in the world, and that the ring symbolizes the fact that Sheeran has moved into Bufalinos inner sanctum. Pennsylvania Crime Commission report in 1989 on the Bufalino Crime Family. The Quiet Don featured in The Irishman even had a sway over the American film industry. kept his family traditional. [21] A check of Galante by the troopers found that he was driving without a license and that he had an extensive criminal record in New York City. In 2004, an article in the Detroit Free Press discussed Sheerans confession. guilty of conspiring to kill Napoli and sentenced to 10 years. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Now, viewers have a newfound interest in the true life story of figures featured in the film, like Jimmy Hoffa and Russell Bufalino. considered prime because of its proximity to New York City and the deep woods New episode every Wednesday. Is the Bufalino family real? Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Russell Bufalino may have had a hand in a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro Keystone/Getty Images Bufalino and other mobsters made quite a bit of money off hotels and casinos in Cuba in the 1950s. As reported by The Citizens' Voice, Bufalino was considered a suspect in Hoffa's disappearance. But get over it he soon did, and according to All That Is Interesting, Sheeran was promoted from chauffeur to hitman. Grade R: Everything you need to know about South Africa's reception year, Mlungu woman nails pantsula dance moves with Converse All Stars in the township, Details into the life of Samantha Speno, Randy Orton's ex-wife, Who is Kim Fields's dad Erv Hurd? You need a Find a Grave account to continue. In the time preceding the November 1957 meeting, trooper Croswell had Barbara's house under occasional surveillance. administration of justice at Penn State. Death 25 Feb 1994 (aged 90) Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Gelso was evicted from the courtroom after the Crime Commission chairman said My friend didnt suffer, according to the Detroit newspaper. Joe Pesci as Russell Bufalino, a Sicilian-born, Pennsylvania-based mobster. In the1970s, Bufalino had become a senior member of Cosa . commission said. Some believe its Mafia chief, the powerful and secretive Russell Bufalino, called for the hit against Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa. Prior to his death, in 1981, . [21] He had become aware that Barbara's son was reserving rooms in local hotels along with the delivery of a large quantity of meat from a local butcher to the Barbara home. Russell Bufalino, portrayed by Joe Pesci Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Pesci stars in The Irishman as Russell Bufalino. Everything to know about him, Cabinet reshuffle postponed due to President Cyril Ramaphosa's illness: "He's exhausted and can't talk", Soweto gogo juggles soccer ball like a professional and goes viral, SA wants PSL or Bafana to recruit her, 7 richest crime organizations of all time. The newspaper identified William DElia as then the reputed head of the Bufalino crime family, and said he was being held in a federal prison in Arizona, where he was serving a 9-year sentence meted out in 2008 for money laundering and witness tampering conspiracy charges. As Brandt said, Hoffa wanted to solidify his control of the Union by getting rid of his enemies in the rank and file what they called rebels[so] he talked to his dear friend, Russell Bufalino.. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. So, what happened to Russell Bufalino? [32], Bufalino was released in May 1981 but was indicted again, this time for conspiring to kill the witness, Napoli. Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 06:51, "William Bufalino Sr., 72, Lawyer For Hoffa and Teamsters' Union", "Bufalino: A good neighbor with a secret life", "Russell Bufalino, Appellant, v. John W. Holland, District Director of Immigration and Naturalization, 277 F.2d 270 (3d Cir. During his first stint in prison, Bufalino had his consigliere Edward Sciandra run the Bufalino family's business. He was allegedly involved in labor-racketeering in the coal and . He was 90. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. accompanied by attorney Michael Casale and Wilkes-Barre lawyer Charles Gelso. Try again later. Russell Bufalino (played by Joe Pesci in The Irishman) was born as Rosario Alberto Bufalino. Like many a mafioso, Russell Bufalinos career in crime had humble beginnings. He Was 91 | Times Leader Home About Us Advertise Contact. bothered him, Block said. Russell married his sweetheart Carrie on August 9th, 1928. Bufalino was found guilty of extortion and sentenced to four years in prison. This was confirmed during Carries funeral as the obituary mentions several nephews, nieces, sisters, and brothers, but no Russell Bufalino daughter or son was mentioned. In the movie, Bufalino has a ring and Angelo Bruno, another crime boss, has a third. Russell Bufalino cause of death was due to natural causes as he was 90 years old. I dont know if therell be an out and out war, but there will be interest There was a problem getting your location. At 64, Bufalino was arrested by the FBI on the charge of conspiracy to transport some $25,000 in stolen television sets. and eight months of a 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill a government Next, he was dragged through the kitchen and taken to a crematorium, where he was turned to dust. In 1955, Bufalino met Frank Sheeran, the Teamster and hitman at the center of the Oscar-nominated 2019 film The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorsese. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. [21][28][26], Following Barbara's death in June 1959, The Commission recognized Bufalino as the official family boss. of the most important Mafia bosses. He was released in May 1981, but U.S. Senate hearings transcripts state that he was indicted again that very same month on conspiracy charges for attempting to violate Napoli's civil rights (i.e., threatening to kill him). Bufalino was one of the most important on that commission for 30 industry. The details of the Bufalino Crime Familys organization and rackets were outlined in a Pennsylvania Crime Commission 1989 report. Genovese elected Buffalo, New York boss and Commission member, Stefano "the Undertaker" Magaddino, who in turn chose northeastern Pennsylvania crime boss Joseph Barbara and Bufalino to oversee all the arrangements. The Irishman Review: Death of a Goodfella "Russell presented me with a gold ring that he had made up special for just three people - himself, his underboss, and . Here is a look at the life of the authoritative Mafia boss. witness set to testify against him. 0 cemeteries found in Swoyersville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA. informant. It was also rumored that he helped the CIA in their 1961 plot to assassinate Fidel Castro after the Cuban Revolution. Russell Bufalinos first boss was John C. Montana. Bufalino made Northeastern Pennsylvania a vital region for the New York Try again later. Who was Russell "The Quiet Don" Bufalino? "Now I understood why Russell would ask me to drive him to different places and wait for him in the car while he did a little business in somebody's house or in a bar or a restaurant," said Sheeran. Starting with Joey LaMotta in Mad bulland continuing his Oscar-nominated performance as Russell Bufalino V IrishmanThe veteran actor has a habit of commanding the screen while working with a respected director, and his role as Niki Santoro in Casino not an exception. Having found that many of these cars were registered to known criminals, state police reinforcements came to the scene and began to set up a roadblock. During the questioning at the Lackawanna County Courthouse, Bufalino was Born . will be clamoring to claim their piece of the action, law enforcement Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Bufalino was said to be a partner in ADS Contracting Co., a garment firm. But looks can be deceiving. In the 1970s, Russell was apprehended for extortion charges and his deputy, Edward Sciandra, took over the syndicate activities as the chief boss. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Yet his name was not widely known to the public, and he liked it that way. The Kingston . Russell Bufalino from tree Dvarcas Family Tree. [29][30], On April 20, 1973, Bufalino was arrested in a Scranton nightclub in an FBI raid, charged with interference with interstate commerce, obstruction of justice, gambling and transporting stolen property, but later released on $50,000 bail. Please enter your email and password to sign in. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. One FBI report in that file indicated that Sheeran was observed driving Russell Bufalino in Detroit right after Jimmy Hoffas disappearance, Citizens Voice reported. Organized Crime Leader. Martin Scorsese was well aware of this and got the inspiration behind his production, The Irishman, that premiered on Netflix. Les Feldick: age, children, wife, books, ministries, net worth, is he alive? Turks dictionary says this is cq! Bufalinos death is expected to trigger a power struggle between Young Neither was the U.S. government very happy about what had happened in Cuba, so the CIA is reported to have asked Bufalino for help going after Castro. America, according to law enforcement officials who knew Bufalino. [20], A local state trooper named Edgar D. Croswell had been aware that Carmine Galante had been stopped by state troopers following a visit to Barbara's estate the previous year. He named caporegime Edward Sciandra as the acting boss and removed himself from the day-to-day operations of the family. Barbara then gave Bufalino a promotion, made him an underboss, and sent him to Kingston, Pennsylvania, to oversee their criminal operations there. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. While there is still no proof that Sheeran committed this crime aside from a few unidentified blood splatters in a Detroit house, The Irishman went to the grave declaring his guilt. I have very fair skin. He was a Sicilian immigrant. Russell Bufalino, the powerful Pennsylvania crime family leader, died at the age of 91 after spending several years in a nursing home. Summary Russell Bufalino of Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania was born on September 25, 1903, and died at age 90 years old on February 25 . Any remnants here would be aligned with the New York families. He attributed the downfall to the decline in coal and garment industries, which sucked up the mobs profits, and the federal governments use of the RICO statute to bust up crime families. Thats a deviation from real life. According to the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, the Bufalino family built I dont think theres a standalone family here any more, Kanavy said to the site. Charles Bufalino was the uncle of later crime boss Rosario "Russell" Bufalino. He stayed in Sicily for 4 years and, in 1914, relocated and settled in Pittston before moving to Buffalo, New York, at 14 years. Its power started to wane in the 1980s, however, as the government went after crime family leaders. The Irishman in the movie and in real life was a man named Frank Sheeran who, newspaper articles from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s show, openly admitted associating with Russell Bufalino, the crafty Bufalino Crime Family boss who sat at the top of the Familys hierarchical chart for decades. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Bufalino first met Frank The Irishman Sheeran in 1955 at a truck stop in Endicott, New York when Sheerans truck had broken down and Bufalino lent him some tools as well as a job offer. The Mafia boss died near Pittson, Pennsylvania. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Russell's parents were Angelo Bufalino (father) and Cristina Buccoleri (mother). I couldn't get over it.". He was quiet. Failed to delete memorial. From the book The Quiet Don by Matt Birkbeck, rare footage of Russell Bufalino testifying in 1982 about his relationships with Jimmy Hoffa and Frank Sheeran. We have set your language to [19] The New York garment industry interests and rackets, such as loansharking to the business owners and control of garment centre trucking, were other important topics on the Apalachin agenda. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. GREAT NEWS! Death . 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Bufalino died of leukemia on May 12, 1990, at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. faltered in recent years because of his deteriorating health and criminal [32] In November 1981, Bufalino was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, held at United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth.[13]. While he was in prison his position in the Northeastern family was given to Bill D'Elia, but he continued to be a significant influence in the Cosa Nostra organization. All Family Trees results for Russell Bufalino. Even though he is considered among the top crime bosses to ever walk on this earth, not much is know about him because he kept a low profile throughout. Learn more about merges. [26][27] All those apprehended were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years, however, all the convictions were overturned on appeal in 1960. My Irishman, we did all we could for the man. He was born to Rose and Charles Joseph Bufalino Sr. on December 11, 1938. Thursday Oct 29, 1903 to Friday Feb 25, 1994. . Carrie passed on in 2006 at a majestic age of 95 years. Watch #OnTheStacks Podcast! It is no wonder a Netflix production was named in tribute to the Bufalino family. Union boss Jimmy Hoffa, friend and associate with Russell Bufalino. Russell Bufalino from tree Dvarcas Family Tree. His dad relocated from Montedoro, Sicily, to Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the United States to work as a coal miner, a few months before his birth. Sorry! It appears as though Bufalino died as he lived. The book says that Time Magazine reported at the time that Bufalino and Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana had worked on behalf of the CIA in 1961 in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and in 1962 in a plot to kill Castro., Russ was very spry, and born in Sicily but spoke perfect English. He was married to wife Carrie but they didnt have children, the Brandt book says. These friendships that Russell fostered in Buffalo, NY, were very significant in his career as a Mafia boss. Carrie is played by actress Kathrine Narducci, and Russell is played by Joe Pesci. Ive got a case coming up and this finks trying to In the 1960s and 1970s, Bufalino was temporarily head of the [30][29] Ultimately, the part of Johnny Fontane was given to Martino. Wilkes-Barre, PA News, Obituaries, classifieds, and Sports. He was loved by many, and often rubbed elbows with American Mafia heavyweights such as Russell Bufalino and his right-hand man Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, whose deathbed confessions inspired The Irishman. The don of dons headed one of the most influential crime families in Theres a theory that the Mafia in the United States is run by a `National areas coal and garment industries. A Times Leader article reported that Russell Bufalino. In 1977, Napoli testified that Bufalino threatened to kill him if he didn't pay up. The Bufalino crime family has long ruled the underbelly of Pennsylvania and New York with its most prominent godfather being the infamous Russell Bufalino. According to a 114-page FBI file about him, he was one of the two most powerful men in the mafia of the Pittston, Pennsylvania area.. He was born on Oct. 3, 1903, in Sicily and his parents emigrated to Buffalo, New York when he was still a child. Besides him, Russell worked with several other Buffalo criminals. READ ALSO: 7 richest crime organizations of all time. expanded to illegal gambling, loan-sharking and drug trafficking, the The Brandt book, I Heard You Paint Houses (a reference to mob assassinations), quotes Sheeran as calling Russell Bufalino the other one of the two greatest men I ever met. His favorite song was Spanish Eyes. The famous Five Families of New York sought his counsel. Bufalinos name also was linked to the 1975 disappearance of former READ NEXT: Frank Sheeran: The Real Story. He was born on Oct. 3, 1903, in Sicily and his parents emigrated to Buffalo, New York when he was still a child. On February 25, 1994, Bufalino died of natural causes at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Pennsylvania, aged 90. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. About a year and a half ago, reputed mob boss Vincent Amuso was Russell Bufalino . The 1981 trial ended in another. Bufalino was released from federal prison in 1989, after serving six years As Wanda Ruddy, the wife of the movies producer, later said, Russell Bufalino had final script approval of The Godfather. Of course why shouldnt a real-life godfather have a say? Tired of ads? According to his bio on the Mafia Wiki, Bufalino told his sentencing judge, "If you had to deal with an animal like that, Judge, you'd have done the same damn thing.". They settled in Pittston, Pennsylvania, where Bufalino later claimed he'd been born. Now, his legacy is once again going to hit the big screen this time with a mostly non-fiction portrayal of his role in the infamous disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. According to The Pittsburg Press, when state troopers and federal agents raided what would go down in mob history as the Apalachin meeting, they confiscated 200 pounds of "choice steaks, veal cutlets, whole hams and pork chops" that were being delivered. He retired shortly after and Bufalino stepped in to take his place. Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, Death Info and Locationeven a guess will help. other cities. In 1940, he become underboss to Joseph Barbera's Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family. Bufalino Crime Family Now & Then: Does it Exist Today? After that failed military operation, the mob was reportedly unhappy with John F. Kennedy, leading to the rumor that the Mafia was behind his assassination in 1963. In 1906, Russell and his mother moved back to the US. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. According to Sheerans account as told to Charles Brandt in his biography, I Heard You Paint Houses, Russell would ask me to drive him to different places and wait for him in the car while he did a little business in somebodys house or in a bar or a restaurantRussell Bufalino was as big as Al Capone had been, maybe bigger.. They lived there for two decades before relocating to Kingston, Pennsylvania, where they had a modest home where they lived for almost 40 years. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Mobsters on the run from New York used to hide out 1918 Pennsylvania, USA. or 40 years, Jenkins said. protection at the time, according to Alan A. When there was a little bit of heat he went to Pennsylvania and nobody The Mafia boss died near Pittson, Pennsylvania. cemeteries found in Swoyersville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. For Gallo . You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Although Bobby Kennedy lost his Attorney Generals perch when his brother was assassinated and then he was murdered himself, his prosecutorial approach against the mob outlived him and saw new life in RICO prosecutions. he worked all his life as a mechanic and a businessman in the garment As his entry on Find A Grave states, Bufalino died of natural causes in an assisted living facility. D'Elia's leadership [ edit] William "Big Billy" D'Elia became the new boss of the Bufalino crime family after the death of boss Russell Bufalino in 1994 and later, the retirement of Acting Boss Edward Sciandra. Whichever mobster pulled the trigger (and people debate this), many people believe that Russell Bufalino was the mobster who ultimately ordered it. According to Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson, who were the movies costume designers, the coins were rare, and it means that Russell spent a fortune to turn them into 14kt gold rings accentuated with 25 diamonds. [22], Having barely started their meeting, Bartolo Guccia, a Castellammare del Golfo native and Barbara employee, spotted a police roadblock while leaving Barbara's estate. The Bufalinos play a prominent role in the Netflix film The Irishman. English Sheeran claimed that Bufalino had him kill the union boss in Detroit and cremate his body in 1975, but since no body was ever found, Hoffa was considered missing. Bufalino himself, as well as notable godfathers and other criminals, were taken in by local and federal agents. The Familys underboss was named as James Osticco, 76, in the 1989 report. The powerful Bufalino Crime Family once ruled parts of Pennsylvania. Russell Bufalino (1903 - 1994) Add photo. Like, Comment, Share and Subscribe for more videos! None of these Little Italy people or Crazy Joe and his people had ever seen me before.. Although Castro had told Bufalino and other mobsters that he wouldn't let the revolution affect their business, he didn't keep his word and expelled the gangsters and their businesses from the island. Mr Sciandra was assisted by other syndic members such as Angelo Bufalino, Anthony Guarneri, Philip Medico, James David Osticco and Consiglieri Remo Allio. He was released on his own recognizance under $10,000 bail. It is one of the three insignia rings manufactured from 3 dollar liberty coins that date back to 1855. Some believe its Mafia chief, the powerful and secretive Russell Bufalino, called for the hit against Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa. When mentioning some of the worlds top scrupulous criminals and areas they live, North-eastern Pennsylvania is not one of the places that normally comes to mind. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. In 1960, there were 35 active members, but the crime family was cut in half a decade later. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? After the death of Barbara in 1959, Bufalino took his place as boss and the family became the Bufalino family. But does it exist today? He murdered Napoli with the assistance of gangster Jimmy Fratianno and another close associate he met in jail. The Bufalino Crime Family and the theories linking it to. The commissions 1989 report, written when Russell was 85 years old, says the familys power was established in labor racketeering in the regions garment and coal industries. Bufalino traveled weekly from his Kingston home to New York City. In the Russell Bufalino movie, which tells the story of the Bufalino crime family, Joe Pesci gives Robert De Niro, who plays Frank Sheeran of Teamsters Union, a ring. Russell Bufalino will always be remembered as one of the leading real-life mob bosses of all time. [13][14], In 1957, after taking control of the Luciano crime family from boss Frank Costello, boss Vito Genovese wanted to legitimize his new power by holding a national Cosa Nostra meeting. Mr Russell took over as the crime leader after the former boss, Joseph Barbara, died in June 1959. This was 12 years later after Russell Bufalino death. Russell Bufalino, `don Of Dons,' Dies The Kingston Resident Was The Reputed Head Of One Of The Country's Most Powerful Crime Families. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. According to. He was allegedly involved in labor-racketeering in the coal and garment industries, illegal gambling, loan-sharking and drug trafficking. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. captured in Scranton by the FBI. Many searches to find Hoffas body over the years have failed, including at a landfill in Jersey City. Family and clan ties were important to Sicilian-American criminals; they created a strong, secretive support system that outsiders or law enforcement could not infiltrate.