On this day in 1991 the former boss of the Bonanno crime family, Philip Rastelli passed away at the age of 73 from liver cancer. Most of his time as boss of the Bonanno’s was actually spent in prison where he was serving time for loansharking and racketeering in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He only spent two years outside the prison walls as boss, before being sentenced to 12 years in 1987.
With Rastelli all but assured of dying in prison, he designated Joe Massino acting boss with the ability to approve new members and order hits.
We're in the business of preserving the history of the Italian-American Mafia through On This Day Mafia Timelines, Videos, Quizzes and a Knowledge Base of facts.
Latest posts by NCS (see all)
