Steve Ferrigno
? to Nov. 5, 1931.
"Fannuzzo"

Ferrigno has been labeled by Mafia historians as everything from a Joe Masseria bodyguard to a major crime boss.

The weight of evidence (and there really isn't much weight to the available evidence) indicates that he was affiliated with boss Al Mineo (Manfré or Manfredi) in the old Salvatore D'Aquila crime organization. The two men might have conspired with Masseria to eliminate their old boss in 1928.

Masseria installed Mineo as leader of the D'Aquila family after 1928. It seems likely that Ferrigno served as underboss or a top aide to Mineo. Whatever their official relationship, their names were always spoken together.

Mineo and Ferrigno were reportedly strong allies of Masseria during the Castellammarese War. Some of the D'Aquila family defected during the war, siding with Brooklyn-based Castellammarese boss Salvatore Maranzano.

Mineo and Ferrigno were ambushed and killed in the Bronx by Castellammarese-affiliated gunmen on Nov. 5, 1930, greatly diminishing Masseria's strength and prestige.

Related Links:

• Crime boss listing

© 2007 T.Hunt
The American "Mafia"