Salvatore Maranzano came from the coastal town of Castellammare del Golfo, west of Palermo. At the age of forty-three Maranzano became the leader of the Castellarmmarese immmigrants in
New York. Maranzano was sent to the U.S. by
Don Vito Cascio Ferro. Maranzano's orders were to organize the American Mafia and bring it under Don Vito's control. Salvatore had a very commanding presence, and was greatly respected by his underworld peers. He had a fascination with Julius Caeser and the Roman Empire. He was a very formal man with Old World manners. Maranzano even studied to be a priest and could possibly be the only Mafia boss in America to be college educated. Maranzano's first move was to gain the support of the local Castellammare people. He then began to envade the territory of
Joe "the boss" Masseria. Maranzano hijacked truckloads of Masseria's liquor and taking over Masseria's bars. This started the Castellammarse war. The war lasted until Maranzano had Masseria killed. After the war Maranzano began to organize the Mafia and implement rules. He remained at the throne of the underworld until
Lucky Luciano and others had Maranzano assasinated.
