John Vitale (mobster) - Early Life

Early Life

John J. Vitale was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1909, the eldest of eight children of Joseph Vitale, Sr. and Mary Theresa Bovacanti. Both of Vitale's parent's were born in Sicily. His father was born in Trapani and his mother was born in Termini Imerese. They immigrated to the United States a few years before John was born. During the Great Depression he worked as an usher at the Ambassador Theater where he met movie actressGinger Rogers and the two became lifelong friends. He married circa 1929, Fara Marie Sharamitaro, probably the daughter of Giuseppe Sharamitaro (also spelled Ciaramitaro) and Rosaria Bommarito. Together, they had four children.

Vitale's arrest record began circa 1920, though he was rarely convicted. For example, in 1934, Vitale was a suspect in the death of Mike Palazzolo. According to St. Louis investigative reporter John Auble, Palazzolo allegedly had an on-going quarrel with a man named Walter Mushenick. In May 1934, Mushenick assaulted Palazzolo's girlfriend Delphine, slapping her in the face. After Delphine informed Palazzolo of the assault, Palazzolo stated that, "...he was going to get even with Mushenick..." Witnesses stated that when Palazzolo left his parent's house to visit a friend, Vitale arrived and waited for him to return. After returning home, Palazzolo left with Vitale in Vitale's car. That was the last time Palazzolo was seen alive. The coroner determined that Palozzolo was shot twice with a .38 caliber, a single shot through the head and neck, and another in the chest. Though a warrant was issued for his arrest, Vitale was exonerated of the murder.